Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: TJ Hockenson, TE DET

Name: TJ Hockenson

Position: Tight End

Pro Team: Detroit Lions

College Team: Iowa Hawkeyes

Draft Status: Round one, eighth overall

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

COMBINE REVIEW

• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 251 pounds
• Arms: 32 1/4”
• Hands: 9 1/2”
• 40-yard dash: 4.70 seconds
• Bench press: 17 reps
• Vertical jump: 37.5”
• Broad jump: 123.0”
• Three-cone drill: 7.02 seconds
• 20-yard shuttle: 4.18 seconds
• 60-yard shuttle: 11.55 seconds

STRENGTHS

• Strong blocking technique with smart usage of leverage
• Strong burst off blocks and through the second level
• Hands catcher, does not wait for the ball to come into his body
• Uses leverage and body effectively in the red zone
• Enough speed to beat linebackers and safeties
• Well-rounded skill-set keeps him on the field

WEAKNESSES

• Speed is good but not great
• Could use more strength to complement blocking technique
• Non-ideal hand size and arm length
• Occasional focus drops
• Route tree could be expanded and improved
• Timing of leaps can be questionable on 50/50 balls

OPPORTUNITIES

Hockenson was one half of a dynamic duo of tight ends at Iowa in 2018 alongside fellow draftee Noah Fant. The two players shared the field quite a bit in 2018 and were both featured elements of the Iowa offense. Fant posted 39 catches for 519 yards and seven touchdowns while his tight end counterpart Hockenson notched 49 catches for 760 yards and six touchdowns. Coming into the 2018 season, Fant was on the first round radar, but Hockenson had to earn his spot. And earn it he did.

The new tight end in the Motor City has a clear path to snaps as he only has to beat out Michael Roberts, if you know who that is. Detroit also has a new OC in Darell Bevell. The Bevell offense isn’t necessarily known for tight end play, but it does include a lot of play action which is a strength for Hockenson. Hockenson did a great job of setting blocks and then bursting out on play-action passes for Iowa. Chris White, the current tight ends coach for the Lions, spent time as a coach with Iowa, but he does not have an established history with tight ends.

THREATS

I don’t see Roberts being any kind of real threat. The only thing that could get in Hockenson’s way might be Hockenson himself. He has a clear path here and an opportunity to shine. There is also an open question as to the complexion of the new Detroit offense.

SHORT-TERM EXPECTATIONS

Hockenson will be on the field immediately, so I believe he could pay immediate dividends for dynasty team owners choosing to roster him. With the new OC in town, it’s hard to quantify exactly what we can expect out of the rookie. Hockenson also should stay on the field a lot with his blocking ability, so I expect a fairly high floor for a rookie tight end. I don’t know if I see true breakout potential here, but we will have to see how that offense pans out. Detroit has tried a few different answers at the position, so hopefully they found their match.

LONG-TERM EXPECTATIONS

Hockenson’s balance makes him a strong long-term prospect. I see a high floor this season, but longer term he could have quite a ceiling if the offense uses him properly. I am a little worried by the single strong year of production, and his combine numbers were mostly good, but seldom great. I still believe he has the combination of traits to be a very successful tight end in the league, but I’m not certain he has top-five ability at the position. Don’t get me wrong, I love his game, but I’d like to see either a stronger athletic profile or better route running to go all-in on Hock.

NFL PLAYER COMPARISON

The first and easy comparison many are making is George Kittle. To be honest, I don’t see it. Kittle was a much more athletic, speedier player at the position as a prospect. Heck, some considered him more of an H back coming into the draft than a tight end. Kittle’s physical traits compared favorably to OJ Howard, and Hockenson is not in that class. Before you get mad though, I have a better comp that is still quite positive – Hunter Henry. Henry and Hock are very close athletically, and both had a good combination of blocking and pass catching skill. If Hockenson can turn into a healthy version of Henry, I think we’ll be ok.

PROJECTED ROOKIE DRAFT RANGE

TJ Hockenson is a first round pick in current rookie ADP. He’s going around pick seven in standard 1QB leagues and going a little later at 11 in superflex formats. I’m sure there will be a draft or two where he slips into the early second, but if you want to land Hock you’ll likely need a first to do it.