If the New York Jets are looking for a tight end who’s more than just a pass-catching tight end, Wisconsin’s Troy Fumagalli is their man.
In last year’s draft, the New York Jets selected Jordan Leggett with the 150th overall pick in the fifth round. Unfortunately for the Jets and Leggett, he didn’t get to show what he can do as an injury landed his on injured reserve before the season even began. However, it did expose an issue on the Jets offense: tight end depth.
The Jets have plenty of tight ends who are old school “Y” tight ends, basically extra blockers who are limited as pass-catchers. However, with the exit of Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the team could use another pass-catcher at the position. They signed former Virginia Tech tight end and 2017 sixth round draft pick Bucky Hodges, but he’s still a work in progress at the position.
As one coach in the Big Ten Conference coach said (per NFL.com), Wisconsin’s Troy Fumagalli doesn’t look the part, but he’s a heck of a competitor and player when you watch him play.
"“He’s missing a finger as a pass-catcher, he has those skinny legs, he’s not a great athlete, and he wasn’t recruited highly coming out. None of that seems to matter. He’s a competitive guy. He’s not pretty in the uniform like (Indiana tight end Ian Thomas), but you keep watching tape and he gets things done.” — Former Big Ten coach"
He’s a competitive player, and can get things done against zone, but isn’t the matchup problem against man to man coverage that many at his position are. Fumagalli is a reliable pass-catcher who uses his hands well rather than letting the ball get to his body.
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He won’t challenge Leggett for the starting role, but if the Jets want to run some 12 personnel, he can challenge for the second tight end role. If he’s available on Day 3, the Jets may take a flier on him in that role.