The T.J. Hockenson Stuff Is Just Malarkey
The Minnesota Vikings acquired T.J. Hockenson from the rival Detroit Lions at least year’s trade deadline, a move lauded by most Vikings fans as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s smartest move to date.
Hockenson instantly acclimated to and transformed the Vikings offense — and it took about four days.
The T.J. Hockenson Stuff Is Just Malarkey
But when ESPN released TE rankings heading into 2023 last week, the accompanying words regarding Hockenson were a bit strange.
Overall, Hockenson’s placement wasn’t insulting; according to NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, the 26-year-old ranked as the league’s sixth-best tight end. Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs), George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers), Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens), Dallas Goedert (Philadelphia Eagles), and Darren Waller (New York Giants) were considered better than Hockenson.
So, fair enough — no qualms with Hockenson at No. 6.
But the explanation was quirky and flatly false. One executive said about Hockenson, “He’s a good player but nothing dynamic to him in the pass game and average in the run game. He’s the classic case of a player that does everything well but nothing exceptional.“
Hockenson accrued more receptions last year than any tight end in NFL history in a tight end’s first 10 games with a new franchise. The statistic includes rookies and veterans to new teams.
Vikings fans don’t expect Hockenson to garner Kelce-like kudos from ESPN lists, but to claim he “doesn’t do anything exceptional” is birdbrained. Hockenson is marvelous at getting open in the middle of the field — evidenced by his numbers with the Vikings — has tremendous hands, and is a wonderful blocker. He hasn’t quite played with Patrick Mahomes for five years like Kelce.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, another high-ranking NFL personality said about Hockenson, “Really dynamic route runner with speed, size, quickness — attacks football in the air and has some better yards after the catch than given credit for. Decent blocker, three-down-impact player.”
Whoever that guy is should be commended for his commentary about the Vikings tight end. The first quote from Fowler’s TE rankings probably could’ve been omitted entirely.
Like any batch of power rankings or individual player pecking orders, ‘lists’ don’t really matter and instead serve only as a thermometer of public opinion. Hockenson can smack down false narratives on the field — in 55 days when the regular season begins.
Let it be known, though, in July 2023, that one NFL exec believes Hockenson struggles to do anything exceptional. Anonymity gave him clearance to share zany thoughts.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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