Jets' Aaron Glenn feeling good about tight end Jeremy Ruckert of Lindenhurst

The Jets drafted tight end Mason Taylor in the second round and are high on the player he can become. Taylor’s pass-catching ability has been apparent throughout OTAs. But Aaron Glenn believes in Jeremy Ruckert, too.

Glenn spoke highly of Ruckert’s potential and what he’s seen from the Lindenhurst product throughout the spring workouts. Glenn met with him and told him what he wants him to work on and areas in which he can get better.

“I think he’s improved quite a bit,” Glenn said.

Ruckert was a third-round pick in 2022 out of Ohio State. The former regime of general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh was confident that Ruckert would be a strong run blocker. Glenn feels the same, but he thinks Ruckert can do more in what essentially is a prove-it season for him. He has only 35 catches for 264 yards in his career.

“Listen, he wants to be good,” Glenn said. “He comes from a really good program. We have a number of guys from that program. I’ve stressed him pretty hard throughout this camp because I think there’s a lot of meat on the bone with that player.”

Ruckert has an opportunity to carve out a role. Having his college quarterback, Justin Fields, running the offense now should help Ruckert because of their familiarity and comfort level with each other.

“I think he can help us in the passing game,” Glenn said. “Obviously, he’s going to be a really good blocker for us, but there are some technical things that he has to improve on, and he’s doing everything he can to improve on those things.”

The Jets needed to address the tight end position after productive Tyler Conklin signed with the Chargers. Taylor, the son of Hall of Fame defensive end and former Jet Jason Taylor, caught 55 passes for 546 yards and two touchdowns for LSU last year.

Taylor and Ruckert have been involved in the passing game during the parts of OTAs that have been open to the media. Glenn said Taylor has been doing “an outstanding job,” particularly working on his blocking.

“It’s not just the pass catching, but that’s what you guys see, and that’s what you guys really think is an ‘ah-ha moment,’ ” Glenn said. “But the blocking to me is what really gets me going because I know what he can do in a passing game.

“For him to come out and do the things he’s doing in the run game — even though you can’t do a lot of running because it’s not a physical part of the season. But him understanding exactly what he’s supposed to do and the position, the body language, the leverage, all those things, man, I really love that.”

On Fields

The Jets want to develop Fields into a more complete quarterback, but his ability to tuck the football and pick up yardage when a play breaks down has been on display in OTAs.

Glenn has been pleased with Fields overall. He said the quarterback has “things” that every coach wants in his players. Glenn likes Fields’ “quiet confidence” and leadership style.

“He can galvanize a group of men,” Glenn said. “He’s a talented player. I’m happy to have him as my quarterback, I really am. I think the sky’s the limit for this player.

“I’m not going to go out there and say that he’s the next Joe Namath or anything like that, but I will tell you what, man, he’s going to be a good player for us. And I’m excited what he’s going to do for us this season.”

No block, no rock

The Jets plan to establish the running game under new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who came from Detroit. Consequently, receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, the only returning member from last year’s staff, said there’s been “more of an emphasis” put on his group blocking.

Jefferson tells his receivers, “No block, no rock.” That is, if they don’t block, they won’t get the football. Jefferson said everyone is expected to block, including Garrett Wilson.

“That’s something that’s been dear to my heart because I don’t do lazy [expletive] receivers,” Jefferson said. “We want complete receivers . . . The more they block, the more the running backs gets extra yardage, that’s more first downs. More first downs leads to more opportunities for the receivers. So that’s our thing on that: No block, no rock.”

Who’s No. 2?

Wilson, who has three straight 1,000-yard seasons, is the Jets’ clear No. 1 receiver. They’re looking for a No. 2.

The room features veterans Allen Lazard, Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson and young players Malachi Corley, Xavier Gipson and Arian Smith.

Running back Breece Hall will be featured in the passing game and perhaps one of the tight ends will, too. The tight end was utilized in Detroit’s offense. But Wilson is going to face a heavy dose of double teams if the Jets don’t develop or trade for a reliable No. 2.

“All of our guys are going to have to step up,” Glenn said.

Jefferson said the receiver group is “under construction” and they’re trying to figure out things.

Mosley the mentor

Linebacker Quincy Williams remains close with C.J. Mosley, the former Jets captain and defensive leader. Williams continues “picking [Mosley’s] brain on how to be more of a leader.” Glenn challenged Williams to take on more of a leadership role. Mosley attended Williams’ recent camp, and the two have had lunch together a few times since the Jets released Mosley in March.

Jet streams

Reynolds, a Lion for three years while Glenn was their defensive coordinator, said he was a big reason he signed with the Jets. He believed Glenn would be bring a “hard-working,” winning culture with much-needed “grit” and toughness to the Jets. “We get hit in the mouth, we’re going to get back up and hit you back,” Reynolds said. “That’s kind of what this team needs.” . . . The Jets will hold a mandatory minicamp this week before breaking until training camp next month.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.