Who Should I Start? Tyler Conklin or Drew Sample

Friday, December 20, 9:08 PM

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin is expected back after missing Week 15's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars with a personal issue. The Jets will host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16 in what shapes up as a nice matchup for Conklin. The Rams have struggled against tight ends this season, allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Conklin hasn't been a major piece of the Jets offense this season but he has shown a decent floor in PPR leagues with at least three catches and 32 yards in three of his past six contests. Conklin sets up as a mid-range TE3 in fantasy this weekend and should only be started out of desperation.

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.