Pro Bowl Trade Pickup Expected to Have ‘Strong’ Season With Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have yet to get the full experience, but they have one of the top-10 tight ends in the league, T.J. Hockenson, according to an ESPN survey. Acquired in a trade with the Detroit Lions in 2022, Hockenson is entering his second full season with the Vikings.

Hockenson caught 41 passes for 455 yards, appearing in 10 games with nine starts after missing the first eight weeks of the season recovering from multiple torn ligaments.

Still, Hockenson finished the regular season eighth in receiving yards among tight ends.

“He was OK — didn’t appear to trust the knee, especially in blocking, which is common for that injury,” an anonymous NFL coordinator said, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on July 11. “But I expect him to have a strong year. He will trust it more a year removed and that offense is set up nicely for him. And he’s got such a good feel for the game that he’ll find ways to get catches.”

Hockenson had a 5-64-1 line in the Vikings’ playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

He was 12th in receptions per game, which could increase this season, with the Vikings going from veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold to J.J. McCarthy.

“Hockenson’s status within the Vikings’ offense was growing before a torn ACL and MCL suffered on a late hit in Week 16 of 2023 stalled that progress. Up to that point, Hockenson’s 95 receptions were the 18th most in NFL history among tight ends,” Fowler wrote. “Returning close to midseason last year, Hockenson still produced three games of at least 68 yards from November to December. But, overall, he wasn’t quite at full tilt.

“A first-year starting quarterback’s best friend is a tight end, so don’t be surprised if J.J. McCarthy hits it off with Hockenson over the middle of the field — especially when he sees soft spots in zone coverages, which Hockenson navigates well.”

Hockenson’s highest ranking on this year’s list was fifth, the same spot he checked in heading into 2024, and a good sign of the optimism for him further removed from his injury.

His lowest spot was unranked.