RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED: 5% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: Who would've ever thought that a time would come when Kyle Rudolph is no longer suiting up for the Minnesota Vikings? Even with all of the talent that Kirk Cousins can choose from on each play, they've still provided themselves with TE options on offense and, as if he remembers where he left off on that note back in 2020, he has picked right back up where he left off with his deliveries to 26-year-old, 6'4, 255-lb. Tyler Conklin.
In their Week One matchup against the Bengals, Conklin ranked fifth on the offense in targets (four), catches (four), and receiving yards (41), all behind Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn, Justin Jefferson, and Dalvin Cook in that order. This is a situation where we must acknowledge: say what you will about Kirk Cousins as a QB, but sharing the love of offensive involvement with handfuls of teammates in the same game is something he is easily capable of, as that is the role he has chosen to fully embrace. He likes to get the TE involved too, so it's less of a major concern that Conklin is competing with guys like Thielen, Jefferson, and Cook for looks. This solid Week One showing is mildly encouraging enough on its own, but it really sets in once we look a little deeper.
The former Central Michigan standout has been with the Vikings since 2018, and up until the end of last season had only a few sparse outings worth mentioning. Then, as Minnesota played their final four regular season games of 2020, Conklin entered a zone that he has yet to step out of, catching 15 passes of 21 targets for 168 yards and his first (and only) NFL touchdown over that four-game span. He exited the 2020 campaign with a bang and bust into 2021 ready to make noise again with the quarterback who stayed feeding his teammates all the way to the bitter 7-9 end.
Other than the Minnesota receivers and backs, he could face some TE competition from backup Chris Herndon, but the Vikings aren't the type to keep two tight ends well fed on the same field even dating back to Kyle Rudolph's tenure, and so with the momentum he has somehow managed to sustain, an usurpation by Herndon remains a distant concern for the time being. He's not going to blow you away with his freakish athletic ability, and he might not be as sexy of a TE pickup as the likes of Cole Kmet or Jared Cook, but much like Kyle Rudolph, you'll have a very good idea of what you're paying for with Tyler Conklin, and it gets the job done.
More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Kadarius Toney Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – Super Bowl 58 Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Consider in Large-Field GPPs POSITIONAL VALUE: WR/Flex DFS Dart Throw ANALYSIS: Kadarius Toney is perhaps the biggest wild card of the Super Bowl LVIII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The mercurial wide receiver has battled injury issues and controversy off the field, as well as drops and ineffectiveness... Read More
Stefon Diggs Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR1 ANALYSIS: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was the WR10 during the regular season, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar wide receiver started the year on fire but tailed off towards the end. He scored fewer than 6.9 fantasy points in... Read More
Jayden Reed Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed had low expectations entering the season. Many thought the Packers’ passing attack would suffer without Aaron Rodgers. Instead, the rookie wide receiver was a fantasy star. Reed was the WR23 during the regular season, averaging 11.6 half-point... Read More
Chris Godwin Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin had a slightly disappointing year. The former Penn State star was the WR31, averaging 9.9. half-point PPR fantasy points per game during the regular season. Mike Evans had a massive year as Baker Mayfield’s go-to target, leaving... Read More
Brandin Cooks Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end WR2 ANALYSIS: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a solid regular season. The veteran was the WR36, averaging 9.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he struggled early in the year, Cooks picked up his play when it mattered most for the Cowboys.... Read More
Download Our Free Waiver Wire App
Like what you see? You can download our free fantasy football mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more waiver wire recommendations at every position, 24x7 player news, notifications, injury alerts & daily articles.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
