TJ Hockenson is a tight end for the Minnesota Vikings. He played tight end and defensive back in high school, while also playing basketball. A native of Iowa, he played college football at the University of Iowa. Hockenson played two seasons for the Hawkeyes alongside another stud tight end, Noah Fant, and finished with 73 receptions for 1,080 yards and nine touchdowns. Hockenson won the 2018 John Mackey Award, the prize given to the best tight end in college football.
TJ Hockenson's predraft athletic profile was eye-catching. He logged a 73rd-percentile 4.70 40-time, a 90th-percentile Burst Score and an 88th-percentile Agility Score, along with an impressive 92nd-percentile 10.29 Catch Radius. The Lions used the eighth overall pick to select Hockenson in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Hockenson finished No.3 among tight ends in receiving yards with 723 in his second season (2020) - 395 Air Yards (No.5) and 328 YAC (No.3). Unfortunately, he led all tight ends with 11 drops that season. Hockenson only played 12 games in 2021 (his third season), but he was still No.9 with 61 receptions, on 360 routes run. He also commanded a healthy 21-percent Target Share, led all tight ends in Contested Catch Rate (73.3-percent) and committed just two drops. A thumb injury and surgery ended Hockenson's season five games early.
2022 was Hockenson's fourth season with the Lions and was another productive one, but he was traded mid-season to division rival Minnesota Vikings. Hockenson continued to be a top option in the Minnesota offense, finishing the season No. 2 in targets, No. 2 in routes run, No. 3 in red zone targets, and No. 2 in receiving yards.
