Lions send TE T.J. Hockenson to Vikings in trade. Grade: A
The Minnesota Vikings have added another piece to their already-explosive offense with the acquisition via trade of former Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson. Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Iowa, Hockenson had been a rare standout in Detroit’s limited passing game, and he should thrive in what Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell is doing with Kirk Cousins under center.
Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Vikings are happy paying a steep price.
The newest member of the #Vikings: TJ Hockenson.
A huge deal, with the #Vikings sending a 2023 2nd rounder and a 2024 fourth rounder for Hockenson, a 2023 fourth rounder and a 2024 conditional fourth rounder. pic.twitter.com/ryxNrHzGP8— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2022
Hockenson had 26 catches on 43 targets for 395 yards and three touchdowns this season, but again, you have to look at what a passing game with Jared Goff can and can’t do. When Hockenson has been fed the ball, he’s been quite something — you can ask the Seattle Seahawks about that. In a 48-45 Week 4 loss, Hockenson want off on Seattle’s defense, with eight catches on 12 targets for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Any tight end who can catch a simple crosser and head 75 yards downfield after the catch, as Hockenson did here? That’s a guy you want in your offense.
The Vikings haven’t used a lot of multiple tight end sets this season — just 23 dropbacks with two, and none with three. That’s a radical departure from the pre-O’Connell days, and this trade tells you that it’s time for things to get back to the way things were in that regard.
The price is high, but the Vikings are in all-in mode at 6-1 on the season, and Hockenson certainly does add a dynamic element to their passing game. The Lions are just looking for future picks — probably for a head coach whose name isn’t Dan Campbell — so it’s a good move for both teams.
