The New York Jets are 3rd in the AFC East with a 6-9 record. Their offense has been abysmal this season. They are 30th in points, 32nd in yards, 31st in yards per play, 31st in total first downs, 31st in passing yards, 28th in rushing yards, and 3rd in turnovers through 15 games.

New York promoted rookie tight end Zack Kuntz to the active roster.

The New York Jets rookie started his collegiate career at Penn State.
Zack Kuntz committed to Penn State for the 2018 season. He appeared in one game and had one reception for eight yards before redshirting.

Kuntz appeared in every game, primarily playing on special teams in his redshirt freshman season, recording two receptions for 18 yards.

Kuntz appeared in seven games during his redshirt sophomore season but didn’t record a reception. He entered the transfer portal after the 2020 season.

Kuntz found a new team in 2021.
Kuntz transferred to Old Dominion for the 2021 season. He appeared in every game in his redshirt junior season, recording 73 receptions for 692 yards and five receiving touchdowns. He was a First-Team All-Conference USA selection.

Kuntz appeared in the first five games during his redshirt senior season, recording 12 receptions for 144 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 5.

He would declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Kuntz had a phenomenal combine.
Kuntz had a phenomenal combine. He had a perfect Relative Athletic Score of 10. (Here’s how it’s measured)

He was listed at 6’8″ and weighed 255 pounds. He ran a 4.55 40-yard dash, a 2.61 20-yard split, a 1.55 10-yard split, benched 23, a vertical jump of 40″, a broad jump of 128″, a 4.12 shuttle, and a 6.87 three-cone.

Kuntz fell to the 7th round. Why did he fall?
The New York Jets drafted Zack Kuntz in the 7th round, 220th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

He fell in the draft because he was mostly a wide receiver who lined up in the slot. He lined up in 44.5% of offensive snaps and in 60.5% on passing downs in the slot.

Another reason why he fell was because he was in a weaker conference.

Finally, he struggled at blocking.

Kuntz competed for a roster spot.
Kuntz spent the entirety of camp battling for the last tight end spot on the roster. Unfortunately, New York released him during roster cuts. He was signed to their practice squad shortly after getting released.

Injuries to the tight end position allowed him to get promoted.
Zack Kuntz got promoted to the active roster because of the injuries to the tight end position. C.J. Uzomah suffered an MCL injury in Week 13 and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Jeremy Ruckert suffered a concussion in Week 16 and is still in the concussion protocol.

Kuntz is currently the third-string tight end behind Tyler Conklin and Kenny Yeboah.