Why Jets TE Tyler Conklin could be a fantasy sleeper

The Jets' Tyler Conklin often is often overlooked in fantasy leagues, but he could produce this season like a top-10 fantasy tight end.  

New York didn't have a top-35 fantasy tight end at the end of the 2021 season, but after a busy offseason, the position seems like a strength. In addition to adding former Viking Conklin and former Bengal C.J. Uzomah, the Jets selected Jeremy Ruckert, a third-round pick from Ohio State, in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Despite the glut of talent at tight end, Conklin has already become a favorite of offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, the former San Francisco passing game coordinator. Over two preseason games in which he played (against the Eagles and Giants), Conklin had seven targets, most among tight ends in both games. Only wideout Denzel Mims had more targets (13) over those two games. 

Just as George Kittle became a go-to target for Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco in recent years, Conklin will likely be schemed as QB Zach Wilson’s much-needed safety valve. LaFleur comes from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, so it should not be a surprise if Conklin is used similarly as Kittle. Kittle, one of the league's top tight ends, had 71 catches on 94 targets last season. Meanwhile, Conklin had 61 catches on 87 targets.

ESPN, however, projects Conklin to have a down year, with targets dropping to 52 in 2022. 

“He’s not a fantasy option,” ESPN wrote. 

The main reasoning seems to be the aforementioned traffic jam of talent. ESPN doesn't believe he’ll make a consistent impact on fantasy teams as he vies with the other tight ends for touches. 

However, the LaFleur preseason connection may mean Conklin will be used much more frequently than ESPN expects. 

If you haven’t drafted yet, don’t waste a high pick on a tight end when you can have similar value in the late rounds. Conklin is currently available in all but 1 percent of ESPN leagues.