Jack Conklin manned the right tackle spot for the Tennessee Titans from 2016-19 and gave Houston Texans edge rushers fits.
The Texans will see a familiar adversary Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT when Conklin takes the field for the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Defensive end J.J. Watt is ready for the challenge that comes with going against the former 2016 All-Pro.
“You watch the film from before, you watch the film from now, and you assess the similarities,” Watt said. “You see what’s different, what’s changed. You know yourself and what’s changed between you in the past and where you are now. You analyze the film like you analyze all offensive tackle film, which is to study each individual aspect of their game and see how you can apply it and take advantage of things and try and find your best path of success, while understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your own game as well.”
Watt isn’t necessarily banking on how Conklin played with the Titans when it comes to his preparation for the Browns. However, he believes the matchup ultimately comes down to their ability to stop him.
Said Watt: “I do think there are things you can learn from the past but I also think that, like I’ve said before, there are times where you’ve watched enough film, you’ve learned enough, you’ve written enough things down, that you shut off the film and you say ‘OK. I’ve got this. Now they have to stop me.’”
The Browns have given up 11 sacks on the season, just the seventh-fewest in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Texans have generated 18 sacks on the season, the 18th in the NFL with Watt collecting 4.0 of them. To get to quarterback Baker Mayfield, Watt is going to have to get through Conklin, a tackle he has faced before.