TE & CB Deepest 2022 Free Agent Position Groups

Barnwell, who said Conklin has the skills to start in the NFL, noted the depth of this group:

In a league often desperate for playable tight ends, this is arguably the deepest class of free agents at the position in NFL history. There’s a remarkable number of tight ends who would qualify as average or above-average regulars, which is going to allow teams to reshape their offenses accordingly.

Conklin recorded 61 catches for 593 yards and three scores in 2021, his lone season as a starter.

Barnwell also touched on the cornerbacks group, where Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander are slated to be free agents.

Barnwell mentioned Minnesota as a team that could be active among this position group if things shake out a certain way.

In the way that baseball teams always need more pitching and hockey teams always need more defensemen, every NFL team wants to be deep at cornerback. If we look at the teams that need help the most, though, a handful come to mind. I’ll start with the Vikings, who are set to lose Peterson and Alexander and don’t seem to have anybody left on the roster who Mike Zimmer trusted a year ago. Cameron Dantzler has posted solid numbers and should be in line for one starting spot, but Minnesota will be looking to add at least two corners for new Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell.

Peterson and Alexander both signed 1-year contracts with the Vikings last offseason. Dantzler is heading into his third season after being a 2020 third-round pick.