Who Should I Start? Tyler Conklin or Drew Sample

Tuesday, September 3, 7:24 PM

The New York Jets restructured the contracts of tight end Tyler Conklin and linebacker Quincy Williams on Tuesday to create $8 million in salary cap space for the upcoming 2024 campaign. The specifics of the restructure of Conklin's contract weren't available, but these moves will give the Jets a little more roster flexibility this year. Conklin was a little bit better in his second year with the Jets in 2023, catching 61 of his 87 targets for a career-high 621 yards, although he failed to find the end zone for the first time since 2019, his second year in the league. The 29-year-old should operate as the team's top pass-catching tight end again in 2024, and if quarterback Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy all year, Conklin could surprise some folks as a TE2 in fantasy.

Monday, March 11, 4:49 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed tight end Drew Sample to a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension on Monday, according to a source. Sample will receive $3.5 million in 2024. In his fifth year with the Bengals in 2023, Sample had 22 catches on 27 targets for 163 yards and a career-high two touchdowns in 17 games (10 starts). Tanner Hudson, Mitchell Wilcox and Irv Smith Jr. are all free agents, but one or more of them could be retained or the Bengals could add competition at the position through the NFL draft. The 27-year-old Sample has accumulated just 80 receptions (103 targets) for 621 yards and three touchdowns in his five years in the NFL with Cincy, so it would be unrealistic to expect the Bengals to utilize him as their unquestioned No. 1 pass-catching TE in 2024.