Tyler Conklin remains a free agent after spending the previous three seasons with the New York Jets.
Several tight ends, including Evan Engram and Juwan Johnson, have signed new deals already. This leaves Conklin as arguably the best remaining tight end on the market and several teams could still use an upgrade at the position.
The Jets are one of the teams that could use help at the position, as Jeremy Ruckert is currently listed as the starter. However, if the Jets aren’t interested in a reunion, Conklin could move on to his third NFL team.
Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle identified some remaining free agents who could interest the Houston Texans. Alexander named Conklin as a logical fit for the Texans, who need more pass-catchers for C.J. Stroud.
Regarding Conklin’s fit in Houston, Alexander offered the following:
Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley loves tight ends and said as much in his introductory press conference. It’d be a surprise if the Texans didn’t add one for competition between now and July.
As of now, Houston has just three on the roster.
Conklin could compete for a spot with Brevin Jordan, who is coming off ACL surgery. Conklin had 51 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Jets.
As Alexander mentioned, new Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley loves to utilize multiple tight ends. The team already rosters a reliable veteran in Dalton Schultz, but another capable body could be used.
The team used a fourth-round pick on Cade Stover last year, but the Ohio State product struggled as a rookie. Brevin Jordan is the only other tight end on the Texans’ roster currently, and the former fifth-round pick has never been able to secure a regular role.
In 2024, Conklin caught 51 passes for 449 yards and four touchdowns. The tight end has always been inconsistent as a blocker, but Conklin makes up for that inconsistency by excelling as a pass-catcher.
Since 2021, Conklin has caught at least 50 passes in each season. Pro Football Focus didn’t pin a single drop on Conklin in 2024, showcasing the veteran’s reliable hands.
Spotrac projects Conklin to land a three-year deal worth $9 million annually. Over the Cap has the Texans sitting at around $18 million in remaining cap space, so adding the tight end makes sense from a financial standpoint, as well.
With a young, talented passer like Stroud, the Texans need to add all the weapons they can. Wide receivers Christian Kirk, Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios were all added this offseason, but Conklin could move the needle more than any of those guys.
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