Los Angeles Chargers give themselves more flexibility in 2025 NFL Draft with latest free agent acquisition
The Los Angeles Chargers are signing tight end Tyler Conklin to a one-year contract, per his agent Mike McCartney. Conklin has spent the last three years with the New York Jets. A fifth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, Conklin had a breakout season in 2021, catching 61 passes for 593 yards and […]
The Los Angeles Chargers are signing tight end Tyler Conklin to a one-year contract, per his agent Mike McCartney.
Conklin has spent the last three years with the New York Jets. A fifth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, Conklin had a breakout season in 2021, catching 61 passes for 593 yards and three touchdowns. He then cashed in with the Jets on a three-year, $21 million contract.
A few weeks ago I wrote a wish list of free agent players that would fit with the Chargers, and Conklin was among them. Here is the breakdown:
"The Chargers didn't get a lot of production out of their TE group last season. Will Dissly is a run-of-the-mill player, and Stone Smartt remains largely unproven and inexperienced. QB Justin Herbert could really benefit from having a safety blanket at TE across the middle of the field. Enter Conklin, who has been a very steady producer over the last four years. During that span he has averaged 58 catches and 554 yards per season. He is also a very good blocking TE, in both the running and passing game. Conklin and Dissly would make a fine combination and would benefit from keeping each other fresh. Spotrac currently has Conklin's market value at around $9 million per year."
Interestingly enough, Smartt signed with the Jets earlier this week. As for Conklin, he should fit right in with the Chargers' offense. TE was a huge need, but now Los Angeles has a nice one-two punch with Conklin and Dissly. However, the position is still very much in play for the Chargers during the draft since Conklin signed for only one year.
TE prospect Colston Loveland has been a very popular selection for L.A. in mock drafts. If the Chargers do take him, they will have a three-headed monster at TE and Loveland would have the opportunity to learn from two good veterans. However, it would also create a bit of a logjam at the position for the 2025 season. Spending a first-round pick on a TE may now be a little too rich for L.A., but it could (and likely will) take a developmental one with a later pick.
