When the Detroit Lions hired offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, the position group whose value shot up the most was the tight end room. While Petzing has coached multiple offensive positions, arguably his best years have been with the tight ends. We’ve seen what the Arizona Cardinals had with tight end Trey McBride, and the Lions have similar talent in Sam LaPorta. Petzing’s arrival in Detroit will likely increase tight end usage, which means an upgrade was needed in the room.
In 2025, there was a revolving depth door behind LaPorta and Brock Wright, and it changed even more when the duo suffered season-ending injuries. As long as LaPorta can return healthy in 2026, the team has him pegged as the starter, with everything else, including Wright, being a question mark. The Lions signed veteran tight end Tyler Conklin on Friday to a one-year deal, giving them some upgraded depth and a good player to fit in Petzing’s scheme. Let’s take a look at Conklin and how he fits with the team, and if the move passes on the grading scale.
Tyler Conklin’s fit
With Petzing taking over as the offensive coordinator, the tight ends are going to be expected to do it all. You’ll need to catch and block, as being talented in just one alone won’t be enough. Last year, the Lions had only two tight ends who could do both, with the rest specializing in one or the other. Conklin can do both, and he should give Wright some competition for the TE2 role.
While Wright doesn’t catch many passes and is a better blocker, Conklin is a fair player at both. Conklin has caught 270 passes in his career compared to Wright’s 70, as Conklin has been in the league since 2018, with Wright being around since 2021. Conklin is a better blocker than Wright and succeeds more in pass blocking than run blocking. With the ability to both block and catch and 69 career starts, he is a great fit for Detroit.
Fit Grade: A
Conklin’s role/talent level
Not only is the fit good, but Conklin is a talented player. He isn’t a Pro Bowler or All-Pro, but he’s a serviceable tight end who can start and be a good option as TE2, and if you really have a talented room, a strong TE3. While he was quiet with the Minnesota Vikings early on in his career, he signed a three-year $20 million deal with the New York Jets to be their starter. In those three years, Conklin had 170 catches for 1,622 yards and seven touchdowns. While he struggled with blocking in 2022, his next two years saw major improvement with a career-high 78.8 pass-blocking grade in 2024, according to PFF.
Last year, he signed a one-year $3 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he wasn’t used often, only getting 169 snaps compared to the 806 he got the year before. He was mostly used as a blocker, only getting seven catches for 101 yards. His pass blocking grade was still good at 73.6, and his run blocking grade was at 46.8, with his offensive grade being a career-low 43.3. The Chargers didn’t use Conklin correctly, and I see him getting used more like he was with the Jets in Detroit.
Role/talent grade: A-
Are the Lions getting good value in Conklin?
Another unknown here, as no information about the contract has been released at this time, aside from it being a one-year deal. The deal is most likely going to be under what he made last year with the Chargers, and anything under that is a good deal for me. For now, I have to give this an incomplete.
Value grade: INC
Overall
Detroit needed better depth at the tight end spot and someone who could fill in as a starter if need be. Even if he isn’t the backup on the roster, he is a solid option for third string, but I truly see him taking over Wright as the backup. The team will use three tight ends often in 2026, and Conklin gives them more versatility in who can catch the ball or an extra body to block.
I believe the Lions should draft a tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft, as all of their tight ends are in the last year of their deals. This position could use a long-term option, and Conklin can help mentor a young player in the process. Conklin could even play himself into another deal with Detroit if the season goes well. With the play style the Lions are changing to and the versatility Conklin brings, this was a great signing by Detroit and gives them a boost in a room that didn’t have quality depth last year.
Overall grade: A
See More:
