Strong blocking ability will be one of the most imperative skills on the New York Jets‘ list of job requirements for potential additions at the tight end position this offseason.
As showcased by Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers over the years, blocking at the tight end position is crucial in the scheme that coordinator Mike LaFleur (a Shanahan protégé) is attempting to run in New York.
Without good blockers at tight end, the team will struggle to establish the strong outside running game that it needs to set up a productive play-action passing game. Tight ends who demand respect in the run game help free up the quarterback on play-action bootlegs and rollouts by attracting defenders toward the run action.