Three days into training camp Jets players and coaches have spoken about the usual suspects on offense – WR Garrett Wilson, QB Aaron Rodgers, TE Tyler Conklin and RB Breece Hall – and justifiably so.

But as the start of the 2024 NFL season nears, Jets HC Robert Saleh believes another guy could enter that group of high-impact players on offense.

"I think he [Jeremy Ruckert] is very underrated at his position," Saleh said after Friday's practice. "Rucks has gotten better every time since the day he walked into this building. He's versatile, he's extremely smart ,so because of that we can do more with him. He's physical. He takes everything personal in a good way, where he just wants to be his best, and he's built the way you want him to be built and I expect to hear his name a lot this year."

Ruckert, a third-round pick (No. 101) in 2022, played sparingly over his first two seasons with Jets, appearing in 24 games and making six starts. Hampered by a foot injury as a rookie, he had 1 reception for 8 yards all season.

In his second season Ruckert, 23, took a big step. In 15 contests, he had 16 receptions for 151 yards (9.4 yard per reception). He missed the final two games with a concussion, but the young tight end is encouraged by his trajectory.

"Two years ago there had been a few moments that I wasn't overly confident in myself," Ruckert said. "And this year I realized that I belong here and can produce in this league and on this team in the run game or the pass game. This year, anytime I get my named called, I want to make a play."

While his name has been called sparingly in the past, Ruckert believes he can have a bigger impact in the pass and run game in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, Ruckert received a 57.5 blocking grade, the 12th-highest among tight ends, and received a blocking grade of 60-plus five times.

"The whole thing about getting ball is not something you can afford to think about, especially at the position of tight end," Ruckert said. "If your truly care about your teammates and the coaching staff and the organization, you will do what you can. You need to be able to protect Aaron's blindside and then go run a route against the defensive back. When I am out there, I am only thinking about doing my job and not letting anyone down."

Though he's not a finished product, Ruckert plans to use the 2024 camp to prove he deserves more snaps while soaking up all he can from future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers.

"I think this training camp is big for me just because the competition against our defense," Ruckert said. "Everywhere you look there is an All-Pro or a Pro Bowler. You aren't going against the scout team, you are going against one of the best defenses in the NFL, so the competition is great. It allows the game to slow down each day.

"Like anything in life, the more you do something the more comfortable you get doing it. I want to be a guy that continues to grow and soak in all the information, especially when you have a QB in year 20 that knows all that he does."