Throughout the season, NewYorkJets.com will provide a Stock Report focusing on the Jets' upcoming matchup.
This week's report features players and/or themes that are trending before the Green & White take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
š Rookie Safety Malachi Moore
Jets rookie safety Malachi Moore turned heads Sunday after playing the entire second half against Buffalo in place of injured Tony Adams (hip).
Moore, the Jets fourth-round selection (No. 130) in April's draft, played 48 snaps on defense (64%) and totaled 5 tackles. It was the Alabama product's instincts that shined, however.
"It's tough for a rookie to come in as a secondary player, especially if you're not with the ones on a play-to-play basis, and make sure that you're intact with everything that is going on," HC Aaron Glenn said. "But I thought he did a really good job. Listen, he's a smart player, so it doesn't surprise me at all."
Adams did not practice Monday leading potentially to more playtime for Moore against Tampa Bay in Week 3. The 24-year-old is up for the challenge.
"This week is about attacking the football," Moore said. "Also, helping in run support and creating those takeaways however we can get them."
š Buccaneers O-Line
Tampa Bay will be without starting G Cody Mauch, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 2, and may be without both of their starting tackles when they host the Green & White.
All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs has yet to play and has been a limited participant in practice the last three weeks. RT Luke Goedeke left the Bucs' Week 2 game after the first quarter with a foot injury he sustained in Week 1. He did not practice Wednesday.
With Goedeke and Wirfs out, the Bucs played center Graham Barton at LT and G Charlie Heck at RT vs. Houston. Expect more shuffling with the added loss of Mauch.
š Jeremy Ruckert's First NFL Touchdown
With the departure of TE Tyler Conklin in free agency, fourth-year tight end Jeremy Ruckert has had an expanded role this season. Last Sunday against Buffalo, he caught his first NFL touchdown on a 5-yard pass from QB Tyrod Taylor.
"I've always played by the motto of just doing whatever they need me to do," Ruckert said. "And I'm going to continue to do that."
Aside from the fourth-quarter TD grab, Ruckert has been an improved blocker and receiver while sharing playtime with rookie TE Mason Taylor. The Long Island native's 80.1 offense grade this season from Pro Football Focus is the highest of his career.
š Jets' Run Defense
In Week 2, the Bills ran for 224 yards against the Green & White, more than the Jets allowed in any game from 2022-25, and had 10 missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus. HC Aaron Glenn pointed to over pursuit and poor tackling as the issues, which they plan to solve ahead of Week 3.
"Our guys were running their [expletives] off trying to get to the ball," Glenn said Monday. "But when you have two or three guys running outside the ball, and it's a cutback L league, man, we can't allow that to happen. And that's something that we can fix quickly."
Last season, the Jets' defense was third in total yards and sixth in yards allowed per rush attempt. With 8-of-11 starters back from last season, and the addition of experienced starters Andre Cisco, Brandon Stephens and Harrison Phillips, the Green & White are confident they will right the ship.
"We will get over that hump," LB Jamien Sherwood said. "And next thing you know, we will be shutting teams out soon."
