Zach Sudfeld began the NFL season as the man who was going to fill Rob Gronkowski’s oversized shoes in New England.
But he was released Oct. 3, and signed by the Jets a day later.
Now with Jeff Cumberland having suffered a concussion Sunday in Cincinnati and Kellen Winslow Jr. suspended for one more game due to violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Sudfeld could be in position to start Sunday at tight end against the Saints.
Sudfeld, a 6-foot-7 undrafted rookie from Nevada, was nicknamed “Baby Gronk” in New England after his impressive training camp and because of his physical resemblance to the Patriots star, but it all fell apart quickly.
“Obviously, you don’t want to get released, but I was always trying to look forward and trying to move on, and so I was able to do that,” Sudfeld said after practice Wednesday.
For a Jets offense that, especially with Cumberland’s status uncertain, is lacking for playmakers, Sudfeld is confident he can help fill the void.
“Hopefully, I can get out there and stretch the seam and make some plays,” he said. “The goal for every tight end is to be an all-around tight end, and at this point, just to get out there and do whatever I need to do to help this team win.”
Sudfeld caught two passes for 10 yards in the loss to the Bengals. Though he has only been with the team for four weeks, quarterback Geno Smith thinks Sudfeld is starting to scratch the surface of his potential.
“Zach’s been great,” he said. “He’s a tremendous teammate, has a bunch of upside. Big hands, tall guy, can run, can catch, can block. I think he [has] to continue to progress, and he’ll be fine.”
Coach Rex Ryan is also high on Sudfeld’s potential.
“I see a big dude out there,” he said. “He’s 6-7. He has some receiving skills, [but] I think his blocking has to improve. He’s smart [and] he’s willing, and those are two good traits to have.”
Sudfeld agreed with his quarterback and coach when it came to improving his game.
“Every aspect [of the game], you can improve in,” he said. “Especially some of the in-line blocking stuff, I really need to improve on [that]. At this point, it’s just about learning the offense and doing what you can to help the team.”
While it would be understandable if Sudfeld were feeling butterflies about the prospect of being the primary tight end on Sunday, he was the picture of excitement on Wednesday.
“I’m very excited for Sunday,” he said. “We have a great coaching staff here, and a great offense to get in with, and they’ve really been doing a lot to help me along, and I’m very grateful for that. So at this point, I’m just trying to prepare as best I can, and I’m very excited.”