Who Should I Start? Tyler Conklin or Sam LaPorta


Week 2 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.9 0.1 0.0 0.3 3.8 0.0

Tyler Conklin News

Tyler Conklin Signs One-Year Deal With Lions

Friday, March 13, 12:49 PM

Free-agent tight end Tyler Conklin is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Friday, according to his agent, Mike McCartney. Conklin will join the Lions, his fourth different team, for his ninth NFL campaign in 2026. The 30-year-old veteran played for the Los Angeles Chargers last year and caught only seven of his 10 targets for 101 yards and no touchdowns in 13 regular-season games (five starts) as a depth option. The former fifth-round pick (157th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 out of Central Michigan will likely be in a depth role again in his move to Motown, behind both Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck), leaving him avoidable in all fantasy football leagues. Conklin had a career-high 621 receiving yards in 2023 with the New York Jets, and he's never scored more than four times in a single season. He's caught a total of 270 passes in his career for 2,645 yards and 11 touchdowns across his eight seasons.


Week 2 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.8 0.1 0.0 4.3 45.3 0.3

Sam LaPorta News

Sam LaPorta Remains a Must-Start Tight End in Week 2

Wednesday, September 16, 5:05 PM

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta delivered modest production for fantasy managers in his team's Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints, recording five catches for 48 yards on eight targets. Still, the 25-year-old played over 80% of his team's offensive snaps and was heavily involved in the Lions' passing game after missing the final eight games of the 2025 season with a back injury. In Week 2, LaPorta and the Lions will travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills on Thursday Night Football. The Bills were one of the top defenses in the NFL against tight ends in 2025, but they allowed eight catches for 64 yards on 12 targets to Houston Texans tight ends under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard in Week 1. If the Lions matchup against the Bills turns into the high-scoring affair that many expect, LaPorta could see plenty of targets and some red zone opportunities. All in all, LaPorta remains a must-start fantasy tight end in Week 2.


Tyler Conklin vs. Sam LaPorta

Still trying to decide between Conklin and LaPorta? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Tyler Conklin is projected to score 0.9 points this week while Sam LaPorta is projected to score 10.8 points.