Tag: Tyler Conklin

9 sleepers to play in fantasy football for Week 4

Taking a look at nine sleepers to play in fantasy football for Week 4.

We’re almost a quarter of the way through the 2022 season, and fantasy football managers are either trying to stay in the race or grab their first win of the season.

Even if you’re 0-3 to start the season, it’s far too early to call it quits. All it takes is a few moves and some breakout performances to get back in the race. Finding those sleepers can be difficult, of course, but we’re here to help with that.

We will be using The Huddle’s weekly PPR projections and rankings as a reference. In order to qualify as a sleeper, we are taking a look at quarterbacks ranked outside the top 12, running backs and wide receivers ranked outside the top 24, and tight ends ranked outside the top 10.

Here are nine sleepers to play in fantasy football for Week 4:

Tunnel Vision of Week 3

Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.

SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks Pass-Rush TD
 Lamar Jackson 218-107 5
 Josh Allen 400-47 2
 Jalen Hurts 340-20 3
 Trevor Lawrence 262-6 3
 Joe Burrow 275-5 3
Running Backs Rush-Catch TD
Khalil Herbert 157-12 2
Jamaal Williams 87-20 2
C. Patterson 141-12 1
Derrick Henry 85-58 1
James Robinson 100-16 1
Wide Receivers Yards TD
DeVonta Smith 8-169 1
Mack Hollins 8-158 1
Tyler Boyd 4-105 1
Amari Cooper 7-101 1
Russell Gage 12-87 1
Tight Ends Yards TD
Mark Andrews 8-89 2
David Njoku 9-89 1
Travis Kelce 4-58 1
Jelani Woods 2-13 2
Will Dissly 3-34 1
Placekickers XP FG
Greg Zuerlein 0 4
Matt Prater 0 4
Cairo Santos 2 3
Younghoe Koo 3 2
Riley Patterson 3 3
Defense Sack – TO TD
Eagles 8-1 0
Bengals 4-4 0
Panthers 1-3 1
Ravens 3-4 0
Broncos 4-3 0

Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts

QB Josh Allen (BUF) – Hand
QB Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) – Back
QB Mac Jones (NE) – Ankle
RB David Montgomery (CHI) – Knee
RB Dalvin Cook (MIN) – Shoulder
RB Travis Homer (SEA) – Ribs
WR Byron Pringle (CHI) – Calf
WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ) – Ribs
WR Michael Thomas (NO) – Toe
WR Jarvis Landry (NO) – Ankle
WR A.J. Green (ARI) – Knee

Chasing Ambulances

QB Josh Allen (BUF) – Allen hit his hand on a helmet and underwent an X-ray after the game. Allen later said his hand was fine and there was no cause for concern.

QB Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) – Appeared to slam his head on the turf, then wobbled and almost fell down running to the sideline. But he was examined by doctors that said it was related to his back and that he could return to the game.

QB Mac Jones (NE) – The early diagnosis is that Jones suffered a high ankle sprain and an MRI will confirm it and indicate how much time he will miss. The initial expectation is that this will not end his season but could keep him out for several weeks. Brian Hoyer is next in line, and he’s been with the team for the last three years but hasn’t played much since 2017. The Pats receivers will be downgraded for however long Jones is out.

RB David Montgomery (CHI) – Left in the first quarter of the win over the Texans with knee and ankle injuries. But the prognosis is good according to HC Matt Eberflus, who said the star running back will be day-to-day so he may not miss any time. He’ll be evaluated on Monday for a more comprehensive diagnosis but it doesn’t initially appear to be serious.

RB Dalvin Cook (MIN) – Left during the third quarter with yet another shoulder injury but early word is that he will not miss this weeks’ game in London. But he will be evaluated during the week and may use a brace. Alexander Mattison becomes the starter if Cook ends up missing Week 4, but that won’t be known until later in the week.

WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ) – The  rookie suffered a brutal hit while catching a pass over the middle and went down for a time. He later walked off and it was described as a rib injury. Wilson later returned to the game, so there’s nothing expected to come from the injury. It initially looked bad but he bounced back.

WR Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry (NO) – Thomas injured his toe late in the loss to the Panthers and did not return to the game.  He already missed much of the last two years with a foot injury, so anything is concerning. Landry left with an ankle injury, and while they initially said he would be probable to return, he never did.  There was no information about the injuries after the game, so we’ll know more by midweek when they report injuries and practices.

Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables

RB Christian McCaffrey (CAR) – Only caught two passes for seven yards. He has just ten catches for 57 yards over his first three games. McCaffrey ran for more than 100 yards for the last two weeks, but his most dangerous aspect is his receiving. Why is he having problems with Baker Mayfield throwing to him? It’s not like Robbie Anderson or D.J. Moore are consuming any passes.

WR Laviska Shenault (CAR) – Led the team with two catches for 90 yards thanks to a 67-yard reception for a score when the Saints missed a tackle. He’ll get picked up in some fantasy leagues based on the performance, but the Panthers’ passing offense is not where you should be investing free agent dollars or picks.

RB Dameon Pierce (HOU) – Ran for 80 yards and a score on 20 carries and added two catches for 21 yards. Looked great in a road game to Chicago and he’s turning into the workhorse back that drafters wanted when they overpaid for him. At least it seemed like you overpaid at the time…

Chicago Bears – Once is meaningless, twice is a coincidence, and three in a row is more than just a trend. The Bears’ passing offense looks worse than last year, and among the worst in the last decade. They are 2-1, but it has nothing to do with their passing. Cole Kmet (2-40) and Darnell Mooney (2-23) not only turned in disappointing stats, they both actually led the team and provided their season-high performances. Justin Fields QB rating was 27.7. Winning covers a lot, but it won’t continue without the ability to pass.

RB Khalil Herbert (CHI) – Though the passing effort in Chicago is anemic, the rushing offense is outstanding with either David Montgomery or Khalil Herbert. When Montgomery left in the first quarter of the win over the Texans, Herbert stepped up to a dominating performance with 20 rushes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 12 yards. Unfortunately for Herbert, Montgomery initially seems likely to return as the primary this week. But both backs ding each other when they play and Herbert just showed what can happen when they settle on just one back.

TE Jelani Woods (IND) – The third-round pick by the Colts was the second tight end selected in the NFL draft after his senior year at Virginia resulted in 44 catches for 598 yards and eight touchdowns over 11 games. Oh yes, he is 6-7 and runs a 4.6 40-time, which is very fast given that frame. He made his first two NFL catches on Sunday which were both touchdowns. That’s very promising for the future, less so for next week versus Tennessee. He should develop into a potential fantasy factor in the future.

The Lions backfield – D’Andre Swift is already nicked up, and he was held to 46 total yards with three receptions against the Vikings. But Jamaal Williams rang up 87 yards and two scores on 20 runs, and caught two passes for 20 more yards. That gives the Lions the current No. 4 (Swift) and No. 7 (Williams) fantasy running backs after three weeks. Never underestimate the value of an elite offensive line.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) – The Patriots’ backfield is not meant for rational people to understand, much less predict. But the summer was full of accolades for Stevenson, and they seemed untrue after two weeks of the season. Damien Harris was the primary back. Against the Ravens, Stevenson was the clearly better back with 12 rushes for 73 yards and a score and four catches for 28 yards. Harris ended with just 51 total yards, one catch and no score. But it will remain a committee.

WR DeVante Parker (NE) – The Miami transplant only caught one pass over the first two weeks, but the Pats were short of receivers on Sunday. Jakobi Meyers was out and Parker took over with five catches for 156 yards. It was good enough that it should buy more playing time even when Meyers returns, but he’ll also have to adjust to a different quarterback if Mac Jones misses time as expected.

TE Tyler Conklin (NYJ) – While Garrett Wilson rightfully  grabs the limelight and Elijah Mitchell is still waiting to regain his 2021 form, Conklin is providing a valuable outlet in the passing effort with six catches for 40 yards in Week 2, and then eight receptions for 84 yards on Sunday. Conklin ranks No. 2 in  catches (18) and No. 7 in yards (140) among all NFL tight ends. He’s not proving to be a decent bye-week filler, he’s become an every-week fantasy starter.

WR Mack Hollins (LVR) – He’s been overshadowed by  Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, but he turned in a career-best eight catches for 158 yards and one score against the Titans while replacing Renfrow who was out with a concussion.  A great performance to be sure, but it will be hard to replicate against the Broncos this week if Renfrow remains out, and impossible if Renfrow plays.

TE Kyle Pitts (ATL) – He finally was used for more than two catches for 19 yards. Pitts ended with five catches for 87 yards in the win over the Seahawks and his eight targets were second only to Drake London (9). Seattle is the worst defense that they’ve yet faced, and Pitts has to continue to shine while facing  the Browns, Buccaneers, and 49ers in the next three weeks.

WR Tyler Lockett (SEA) – The concern over losing Russell Wilson and relying on Gino Smith was that it would negatively impact DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. That’s been half right. Metcalf totals just 16 catches for 135 yards, while Lockett has 21 receptions for 213 yards. That includes nine catches in each of the last two games.

WR Romeo Doubs (GB) – He led the Packer receivers with eight catches for 73 yards and one score and that includes catching every target that Aaron Rodgers threw to him. It’s still a committee of almost indistinguishable receivers, but Doubs stepped up against an above-average secondary. That won’t be lost on Rodgers.

WR Russell Gage (TB) – The Bucs were without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Julio Jones when they faced the Packers. The Bucs lost with an offense that mostly disappeared and sputtered. But Gage more than doubled the production of any other receiver when he snared twelve passes for 87 yards and the one touchdown. Evans will return, but Godwin and Jones could miss more time. That favors Gage to help lead the receivers.

 

Huddle player of the week

RB Khalil Herbert  (CHI) –  The Bears No. 2 back generated excitement and hype this summer with reports that he was a better fit for the new offense than David Montgomery. That wasn’t evident in the first two weeks when Montgomery dominated the backfield touches. But once he left in the first quarter of the Texans matchup, Herbert got his chance. And he became the week’s No. 1 fantasy running back with 20 rushes for 157 yards and two scores, plus two catches for 12 yards.

Salute!

Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry

Comedy Yards TDs Tragedy Yards TDs
QB Trevor Lawrence 268 3 QB Matt Stafford 252 0
RB Khalil Herbert 169 2 RB Austin Ekeler 53 0
RB Samaje Perine 61 1 RB Joe Mixon 37 0
WR Mack Hollins 158 1 WR Justin Jefferson 14 0
WR DeVante Parker 156 0 WR D.J. Moore 15 0
WR Tyler Boyd 105 1 WR Brandin Cooks 22 0
TE Jelani Woods 13 2 TE Darren Waller 22 0
PK Greg Zuerlein   4 FG PK Will Lutz  2  XP
Huddle Fantasy Points = 148 Huddle Fantasy Points = 28

Now get back to work…

Whatever, Tyreek Hill: Tyler Conklin picked the Jets because of Zach Wilson

Whatever, Tyreek Hill: Tyler Conklin picked the #Jets because of Zach Wilson:

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin has some differing thoughts than Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Hill has made numerous headlines throughout the offseason thanks to his analysis of Tua Tagovailoa.

Hill has done the media rounds and went above and beyond the realm of being a good teammate. He’s gone on the record multiple times comparing his new quarterback with the Dolphins to his old one with the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes.

You know, Mahomes, the MVP and Super Bowl champion? Hill even said Tagovailoa is more accurate than Mahomes.

OK, Ty…

In terms of New York and the Jets, it’s well known that Gang Green tried to trade for him. The All-Pro receiver had a bit of a say in the matter and he opted to be traded to South Beach over the Big Apple.

In explaining why, he cited Tagovailoa’s accuracy as a better option again.

Conklin did not specifically call out Hill, nor did he mention Tagovailoa. However, he did discuss why he signed with the Jets during the start of training camp.

Wilson was a big part.

“One is Zach, a young, talented quarterback,” Conklin said.

Hear more from Conklin on the QB via SNY below:

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How Jets’ Tyler Conklin got extra insight at ‘Tight End University’

How #Jets’ Tyler Conklin got extra insight at ‘Tight End University’

The New York Jets revamped much of their offense during the offseason. Tight end room included.

After the team had already signed CJ Uzomah they doubled down with Tyler Conklin. He signed on the dotted line in free agency as well.

During the offseason, Conklin has been putting in the work in order to get on the same page as Uzomah and the rest of the Jets offense. Further helping him get there was an extracurricular activity at “Tight End University.”

Last offseason, NFL All-Pro tight ends George Kittle and Travis Kelce joined with the retired Greg Olsen to create the concept. It’s a spinoff of something the Buffalo Bills’ Von Miller created for pass rushers years ago, his “Pass Rush Summit.”

Kittle is where Conklin got the extra insight from.

New York offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur followed head coach Robert Saleh to the Jets in 2020 via San Francisco. Because of that, Kittle, the 49ers’ tight end, knows LaFleur’s system well and he gave Conklin some intel to know.

“I got to talk to George a little bit and what makes him successful in the run game in this system along with the pass game,” Conklin said via video conference from training camp. “That was one of the things I was most excited about going down there, talking to him, getting insight, with the staff coming from San Francisco.”

“It was a cool experience,” he added.

Thanks to that and the plans he’s gotten from the coaching staff in New York, Conklin said he’s confident things will go well. Conklin referenced that him and Uzomah are going to mesh, too.

“I think we’re all going to complement each other really well at all position groups. Whether it’s–we have really talented receivers, obviously talented tight end room, the running backs, the offensive line. I just think the pieces we have on offense are going to complement each other really well,” Conklin said. “CJ and I have talked a lot and we’re really excited.”

Earlier this offseason, Saleh already had echoed a similar sentiment.

“C.J., obviously a big, wide tight end. Really good in the flats, running high crosses. Getting him on the move, right? ” Saleh said in April. “And then Conklin, who’s also a very good run blocker, may not be as big but has all the grit and nastiness that you’d want out of a tight end. At the same time, his ability to win those one-on-ones, to work in man coverage and shake and create separation. He’s able to do that.”

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Will New York Jets’ new-look tight end corps matter in fantasy football?

How does New York’s revamped cast of tight ends translate to fantasy football?

Last season was yet another tough one for the New York Jets, which missed the playoffs for an 11th straight year and posted a non-winning record for the 10th time during that stretch. There was a lot of overhauling heading into 2021, including the hiring of new head coach Robert Saleh, and the drafting of quarterback Zach Wilson, and the work has continued this offseason as well.

One of the focal points has been surrounding Wilson with more talent, and to that end the Jets spent a first-round pick on wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and a second-rounder on running back Breece Hall. The team also handed out money in free agency to address the tight end position by signing C.J. Uzomah (Cincinnati Bengals) to a three-year, $24 million deal, and Tyler Conklin (Minnesota Vikings) to a three-year, $20.3 million contract.

That’s a significant financial commitment from the front office, but given how little the team received from the position last season it seems warranted. In 2021, now-Chicago Bears tight end Ryan Griffin led the group with a 27-261-2 line; those 27 catches were good for eighth on the club. Tyler Kroft, now with the San Francisco 49ers, finished behind Griffin with 16 catches, 173 yards, and a score. Expect the tandem of Uzomah and Conklin to far exceed what their counterparts produced.

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PFF: Jets’ Tyler Conklin is top threat in red zone

PFF: #Jets’ Tyler Conklin is top threat in red zone:

The New York Jets shelled out dollars in free agency, even double dipping at a few positions. Amongst that faction was their tight end additions.

The signing of CJ Uzomah has caught more attention. However, Pro Football Focus suggests the Jets need to make sure their other signee in Tyler Conklin gets involved in the red zone specifically.

The football analytics outlet released their grades for tight ends in the red zone last season. Conklin, not Uzomah, is the one that sees his name pop up.

Conklin notched 61 catches for 594 yards and three touchdowns in 2021 while with the Minnesota Vikings. All those numbers were far and away career highs for Conklin.

He’ll have to find a way to put up the stats in New York while splitting time with Uzomah. But PFF suggests Conklin should be used in the red zone because he was their 11th best tight end in that area of the field last year.

A big reason for that was a good set of hands from Conklin.

Here’s PFF’s breakdown on Conklin’s game in the red zone:

Catching 10 of his 16 red-zone targets in 2021, Conklin posted 65 yards and three touchdowns. While his 6.5 yards per reception average wasn’t great, he didn’t drop a single pass and brought down 90.9% of his catchable targets.

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PFF really likes the Jets’ moves at tight end this offseason

PFF really likes the #Jets’ moves at tight end this offseason:

Pro Football Focus believes the New York Jets got it right at the tight end spot.

This spring the Jets used free agency to revamp the position. Both CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin were signed.

Those moves were named the team’s best decisions this offseason by PFF.

While a double-dip at the same position, the football analytics outlet thinks it could pay dividends. PFF called both Uzomah and Conklin fits for New York’s offense in more ways than one.

We already knew their pass-catching prowess was there. We did not need the fancy stats to see that. However, their abilities against the run are overlooked but important says PFF.

Not to mention, adding those two will give rookie Jeremy Ruckert time to develop as well.

Here’s how PFF broke down the Jets’ moves at tight end this spring:

SIGNING TES C.J. UZOMAH AND TYLER CONKLIN

The Jets somewhat replicated the division rival New England Patriots in the 2021 offseason when they added two tight ends in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, only it came at a fraction of the cost.

Uzomah and Conklin are complete players at the tight end spot, capable of adequate blocking in offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur’s wide zone run scheme, while also contributing as big-bodied safety valves for quarterback Zach Wilson on third downs and in the red zone.

In 2021, the Jets tight end room earned a 56.8 overall grade which ranked 30th, with their 50 receptions and 534 receiving yards both 31st. Conklin recorded 61 receptions for 593 yards in 2021 and Uzomah had 49 receptions for 493 yards, each effectively matching the Jets’ entire tight end group’s production alone.

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6 most overlooked players on Jets’ 90-man offseason roster

6 most overlooked players on #Jets’ 90-man offseason roster:

The New York Jets made numerous additions to their locker room over the course of the offseason. The 2022 NFL draft saw three top picks join the squad, plus New York was among the movers and shakers during free agency.

All things considered, some players are now a bit overlooked but they’re still pretty important pieces.

With that, here are six overlooked players on the Jets’ 90-man roster:

Tyler Conklin contract details: Jets TE gets $10 million guaranteed

TE Tyler Conklin received a nice payday from the Jets following his breakout season with the Vikings.

TE Tyler Conklin received a nice payday from the Jets following his breakout season with the Vikings.

Conklin signed a three-year, $20.25 million deal with Gang Green. The pact guarantees him $10 million, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Conklin comes with cap charges of $3.4 million, $8.4 million and $8.4 million.

The Jets would incur a $7.3 million dead charge if they were to cut him after just one season.

Conklin is coming off a career year with the Vikings, the team that drafted him in the fifth round in 2018. The 26-year-old set personal bests with 61 catches, 593 yards, three touchdowns and 15 starts. Conklin will partner with fellow free agent signing C.J. Uzomah, giving New York a makeover at a tight end position that has been neglected in recent years.

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