Tag: Tyler Conklin

Top streaming options in fantasy football for Week 9

Taking a look at the top streaming options in fantasy football for Week 9.

At the midway point of the 2021 season, fantasy football managers will be needing to use the waiver wire and streaming options as they try to make a push for the playoffs in just over a month.

Week 9 presents another challenge for fantasy managers needing to find replacements off the waiver wire. With four teams on a bye and some impact players missing due to COVID-19, streaming will be vital.

The four teams on a bye in Week 9 include the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team and Detroit Lions. It should also be noted that Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers won’t play after testing positive for COVID-19.

In order to qualify as a streamer, a player cannot be rostered in more than 50% of ESPN leagues. For each position, I’ll give a “stream of the week” indicating the priority streamer along with an additional two options. I’ll also be quickly recapping the prior’s week’s streamers because I’m an accountable and responsible person (no I’m not).

So after the waiver-wire additions have cleared, it’s time to take a look at the top streaming options in Week 9:

Vikings TE Tyler Conklin listed as the team’s hidden gem

How do you think Vikings TE Tyler Conklin has played this year?

When Minnesota tight end Irv Smith Jr. went down with an injury, it seemed as though the Vikings didn’t have a great answer at the primary tight end spot.

Tyler Conklin maybe hasn’t done as well as some had hoped Smith would have this year. Although, Conklin has delivered in key moments. He has been a beacon of consistency in 2021, with just one drop on 22 targets. He’s also decent as a blocker.

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski thinks Conklin is the Vikings’ hidden gem. Sobleski wrote:

“Smith, who remains on injured reserve after surgery on his meniscus, is more of an H-back or move tight end, whereas Conklin stepped in as the Y tight end. With Smith out, Conklin capitalized.

Conklin is a capable blocker and a growing receiving threat. The 26-year-old already has 13 catches for 126 yards after setting career highs last season with 19 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown.”

Overall, Minnesota offense misses Smith this year. But the Vikings at least have some decent replacements, like Conklin.

Stock up, stock down from the Vikings’ win over the Seahawks

A lot of Vikings players raised their stock on Sunday, including the quarterback in this picture.

Minnesota surprised some people on Sunday.

After two consecutive close losses, the Vikings notched their record to 1-2 with an upset victory over the Seahawks.

This game had the makings of another disappointment. Minnesota was missing Dalvin Cook, its star running back. The Vikings also got down 17-7 in the first half.

It was easy to look at the start of this game and think “same old Vikings.” Instead Minnesota got the win, and plenty of players raised their stock in the process:

With the Vikings Thursday injury report, there is good news and bad news

Vikings fans, there is good news and bad news.

Minnesota has a top-heavy roster heading into the 2021 regular season. That means the highest-paid players have to stay healthy — more so than a team with depth. Or else, the Vikings could lack production on offense, defense and/or special teams.

With that in mind, there is some good news and bad news on the Vikings Thursday injury report. Here is the list:

32 fantasy football sleepers, one from every NFL team

Here are fantasy football sleepers for every NFL team.

There’s a lot that goes into winning fantasy football championships, including team managers finding some gems hidden on an NFL team’s depth chart in the later rounds of their fantasy draft.

There are some players who are being slept on that have the potential to develop into weekly starters on your fantasy team, which could mean the difference between playoffs and a swift exit.

We’ve rounded up our NFL Wires editors to find one sleeper from each NFL team that could ultimately help you win your league at a bargain price.

Vikings TE Tyler Conklin is ‘all good’ for Week 1 against the Bengals

Vikings TE Tyler Conklin, who suffered a hamstring injury earlier this offseason, said he is all good for Week 1.

The Vikings received a blow to their tight end unit this week: Irv Smith Jr. suffered a meniscus injury and will be sidelined for at least the start of the year.

But at least one of the team’s top tight ends should be ready to go early in 2021. Tyler Conklin, the presumptive tight end two before Smith’s injury, said he is all good for Week 1 against the Bengals.

Conklin suffered a hamstring injury earlier this offseason. He recently spoke with reporters about having to take on a big role in the offense now that Smith is out for the time being:

“I think everything in my career has happened for a reason.  Sometimes you know you get thrown out there and you’re not prepared, but I think in my situation, I’ve got to learn from a good vet in Kyle Rudolph.” Conklin said, via Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune. “I got to be eased into and basically play a starting role in the last four to six games last year and got to go and have a strong offseason.”

For the Vikings, Conklin’s self-proclaimed strong offseason needs to do wonders for him as the team’s primary tight end. Smith’s presence in the offense will be missed, but if his injury only leaves him out a few games, the Vikings’ season isn’t doomed by any means.

If Smith’s injury is season ending, maybe the team should look at free agent tight ends or possibly working out a trade. For now, though, Conklin is the clear primary tight end. Let’s see what happens.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer: There’s not ‘any bigger role’ for Irv Smith Jr.

Despite Kyle Rudolph’s departure, Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer doesn’t see a bigger role for Irv Smith Jr..

After a decade as the Vikings’ mainstay tight end, Kyle Rudolph departed for the Giants this offseason.

That led many to expect a bigger role for Irv Smith Jr. in 2021, but based on what Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer has said publicly, that does not seem to be the case:

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s any bigger role for him whatsoever,” Zimmer said, per Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated. “I think it’s a bigger role for Tyler Conklin. He’s kind of emerged as a guy that’s moving upward and with those two guys, we have a lot of weapons there. Irv always has been able to do what he’s been able to do whether Kyle was here or not. We’re excited about these two young tight ends that we have.”

I still think it’s worth pointing out that Tyler Conklin will probably not be the player that Kyle Rudolph was in a Vikings uniform. That means Smith Jr. will at least have a chance to be more of a focus in the offense. Zimmer doesn’t seem to feel that way, though.

Three Vikings who need more reps in 2021

Which Minnesota Vikings players do you want to see earn more playing time during the 2021 NFL season?

Despite missing out on the playoffs in 2020, the Vikings have some things to look forward to for next season.

During its down year, Minnesota played plenty of rookies and other younger players who are primed for progression and possibly bigger roles in 2021.

Here are three of those players, all of whom impressed at times with just a small number of reps. If given more playing time, maybe these three can turn into starting-caliber NFL players.

Here is the list:

Three Vikings players who could take on bigger roles in 2021

These three Vikings players could take on bigger roles in 2021.

The Vikings revamped their roster last offseason and experienced mixed results because of it.

The defense and special teams struggled mightily as the team finished 7-9. Minnesota had to play younger players and as a result experienced some inconsistency and regression.

It wasn’t all bad. There were some promising players for the Vikings who could take on bigger roles in 2021 and thrive. Here are three possible players who could do just that: