88 Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE

Seferian-Jenkins (suspension) could be the Jets' top option in the passing game, NJ.com's Connor Hughes reports.

Seferian-Jenkins has received glowing praise from both reporters and team officials ever since he slimmed down to around 260-265 pounds in the offseason. His strong work from OTAs and minicamp reportedly has carried over to training camp, where the Jets are in desperate search of NFL-caliber receiving targets. The team already was expected to reintroduce tight ends to the passing game under new offensive coordinator John Morton, and the extent of that development could be greater than initially expected with top wideout Quincy Enunwa (neck) is slated to miss the whole year. Seferian-Jenkins still needs to serve a two-game suspension but is nonetheless pushing for a huge role on offense starting in Week 3. The 2014 second-round pick has never lacked for athletic upside, seemingly limited by his poor off-field habits -- and the accompanying injuries -- more so than anything else through three seasons.

Seferian-Jenkins (suspension) appears to be the Jets' clear starter at tight end heading into training camp, the New York Post's Brian Costello reports.

Seferian-Jenkins finished with 10 receptions for 110 yards in seven games for the Jets last season. While those totals are underwhelming, and Seferian-Jenkins will be suspended for the first two games of the upcoming campaign for a DUI arrest that led to his release from the Buccaneers, the 24-year-old reportedly raised eyebrows with his performance during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Along with losing 25 pounds and quitting drinking, ASJ was deployed all over the field in new offensive coordinator John Morton's offense. On a team lacking perimeter playmakers and an answer at quarterback, the towering Seferian-Jenkins could become a safety blanket in Year 2 in New York.

Seferian-Jenkins could be used more in the Jets' passing game this season under new offensive coordinator John Morton, ESPN.com reports.

The Jets' used their tight ends mostly as blockers under former OC Chan Gailey, and with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker now gone, the wide receiver group is incredibly light. Seferian-Jenkins has reportedly looked good during OTAs, though his season will be stunted a bit due to his two-game suspension to start the year, which could give rookie tight end Jordan Leggett some early opportunities.

Seferian-Jenkins (suspension) has lost about 25 pounds from his peak weight of 285 last season, checking in at 260 for OTAs, ESPN.com's Rich Cimini reports.

The 2014 second-round selection was released by the Bucs in September after being charged with a DUI, and the Jets then claimed him off waivers and used him in a minor role throughout the rest of the season. Seferian-Jenkins caught 10 of 17 targets for 110 yards in seven games with his new team, also missing a few contests due to hamstring and ankle injuries, and thus failing to play double-digit games for a third time in as many NFL seasons. While he still needs to serve a two-game suspension for the DUI, it sounds as if Seferian-Jenkins has finally turned his full attention to football, undergoing what his agent referred to as a "mental and physical lifestyle change." He'll still need to prove himself in training camp and the preseason, but the Jets don't have much in the way of other talent at a position they hope to involve in the passing game for the first time since 2014. Seferian-Jenkins has a real shot at the lead role once he returns from suspension in Week 3.

Seferian-Jenkins has been suspended two games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The suspension stems from a DUI arrest in September, which Seferian-Jenkins agreed to a plea deal for at the Hillsborough (Fla.) County Court in mid-February. He's fully expected to take part in the entirety of the preseason, but will then miss the first two games of the season, which means he'll have to forfeit a small portion of his $1.1 million contract. The Jets don't have a proven tight end behind Seferian-Jenkins, so they could look to the free agent market in hopes of adding some extra help at some point prior to training camp.