Over the last four-plus seasons, the Detroit Lions have been an abundant oasis of points for fantasy football managers. The number of mouths to feed in the offense can be tough to navigate some times, but we know the headliners (Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff, Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams).
But circumstances, the No. 1 of which will go unmentioned so as not to jinx anyone, can bring others into the party at times.
On his list of Lions' fantasy sleepers for this year, Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports had to offer the two everyone else is talking about: wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa and running back Isiah Pacheco. But to take the list from a pair to a trio, Payton unearthed someone.
"TE Tyler Conklin"
"Conklin is a guy I’d grab in the very last round of the draft to either be that extra tight end or be my emergency guy when one of my tight ends gets hurt. Something that tends to happen a lot. Conklin should be used in emergency situations only. A “break glass in case of tight end (emergency) type thing.”
Tyler Conklin is a free square on all appropriate fantasy draft boards
Conklin was completely underutilized by the Los Angeles Chargers last season, so we're just going to throw that out. Prior to that, he had at least 51 receptions in four straight seasons. However, a lack of explosive plays and touchdowns, to say nothing of the quarterback situation over three seasons with the New York Jets (2022-2024) put a real lid on his fantasy production.
If Conklin's 2025 season had been anywhere near along the line of those previous four campaigns, he would be top-10 among NFL tight ends in catches and targets over the last five seasons.
With Drew Petzing coming aboard as offensive coordinator, the Lions are sure to rebound back to a top-10 rate of "12" personnel usage this year, like they were in 2024 (according to Sumer Sports). And unlike Brock Wright, Conklin is an actual threat to do something as a pass catcher.
READ MORE: Terrion Arnold situation has made a bad Lions roster situation even worse
There is of course a fine line between Conklin doing anything that brings value for fantasy managers this year and him becoming a level of production vulture for his more-touted teammates--LaPorta in particular.
Conklin's fantasy appeal, as things are right now, comes with all kinds of criteria and caveats. On strictly a draft day level...deep breath.
In deep leagues (at least 12 teams, and ideally more than 12) with larger than usual rosters and some kind of tight end premium scoring (or at least a PPR bent), there would be worse ways than Conklin to use the last pick in a draft.
The chances Conklin delivers on any concept of him as a fantasy asset this year are very slim. But that percentage is above zero, and within the right realm of leagues on draft day he is name to at least be aware of.
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