Tyler Conklin is an excellent choice if you need a streamer in a high-level league. By the third week of the preseason, he had established himself as the clear frontrunner among the Jets’ tight ends. He outperformed C.J. Uzomah (52.4%) in routes run despite playing 95.2% of the snaps alongside Joe Flacco.
According to Pro Football Focus, Conklin was the number seventeen tight end last year (minimum 20 targets), the sixteenth best in yards after catch per reception, and the fifth best in missed tackles forced. Since Baltimore ranked in the top four in receptions, receiving yards, and fantasy points per game the previous season, they present a favorable matchup.
Is Tyler Conklin worth picking up in fantasy?
On Monday night, Conklin was among the Jets’ several veteran players who did not start. With an offseason free agent contract, Conklin will begin the year as the Jets’ primary tight end.
The Jets have a retooled tight end room that now includes Conklin, former Bengal C.J. Uzomah, and rookie Jeremy Rucker (Tight End, The Ohio State University), who caught a touchdown in the first preseason game.
It’s anyone’s guess which of the three tight ends will emerge as the team’s go-to guy once the regular season kicks off and touchdowns start to be scored more frequently. However, the Jets will begin the season with the man they paid the big money for, thus Conklin has a shot at the starting job.
The Jets’ offseason free agency signings and draft decisions have given quarterback Zach Wilson or whoever starts as quarterback for the Jets this year a much more talented arsenal of weapons.
Conklin will need to establish his value as a starting tight end on fantasy teams because he plays a relatively thin position. To begin the season, Conklin is an excellent backup option for fantasy managers to consider.