NFL free agency is fast approaching and I’m sure Darren Mougey and the rest of the Jets front office is busy working through their desired targets.
On the other hand they also need to figure out who they want to keep and who they’re happy to let go.
According to Connor Hughes, he believes that TE Tyler Conklin is unlikely to return to the Jets. Speaking in his post-combine notes, the Jets beat reporter said:
“Tight end Tyler Conklin isn’t expected to return. Neither is cornerback D.J. Reed, who one team told me was their top-ranked cornerback entering free agency.”
It’s widely been accepted that Reed was unlikely to return, but not a lot has been said about Conklin who’s coming off a solid season he caught 51 passes for 449 yards and 4 TDs.
Conklin signed with the Jets before the 2022 season following a 4-year run in Minnesota. He set a career high this year with 4 receiving touchdowns, a career high in receiving yards last year with 621 while also matching a career high 61 catches.
Overall Conklin has been largely productive with the Jets. With only Jeremy Ruckert signed for the 2025 season, TE is going to be a position of focus for the Jets. Plenty of draft analysts are connecting the Jets with Penn State standout Tyler Warren but he’s not the only prospect worth monitoring in the draft. Michigan’s Colston Loveland, Miami’s Elijah Arroyo, LSU’s Mason Taylor and Texas’s Gunner Helm will all likely go within the first 100 picks.
Hughes also mentioned that Juwan Johnson is believed to be the Jets top target:
“Sources told SNY that the team was expressing interest in free-agent tight ends. Juwan Johnson is the top target, but the Jets might opt to sign a cheaper player like Washington’s John Bates.”