Many in NFL circles believe T.J. Hockenson is a top-flight tight end. But others have serious doubts about the five-year veteran in 2024.
According to an ESPN survey of roughly 80 league executives, coaches and scouts, Hockenson is the fifth-best tight end in the NFL. Nevertheless, several voters placed him outside the top 10, the only player among the top five to receive a ranking lower than seventh.
However, despite this, Hockenson moved up a spot in the rankings from last season. The only tight ends graded higher were Detroit Lions star Sam LaPorta, who ranked fourth after a record-breaking rookie campaign in 2023, followed by household names: Baltimore Ravens stud Mark Andrews, San Francisco 49ers franchise cornerstone George Kittle and Travis Kelce of the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
It's possible that some predict a downswing in the tight end's play due to the Minnesota Vikings' uncertainty at quarterback and the expected leap from second-year wideout Jordan Addison, which might take opportunities away. Meanwhile, health may also be a concern for the 27-year-old, who's had three of his five NFL seasons cut short due to injury, including in 2023.
But, production-wise, Hockenson is showing no signs of slowing down.
Despite missing the final two weeks of the season, he posted career highs in receptions (95) and receiving yards (960) while finishing one touchdown (5) shy of matching his best of six, recorded in 2020 and 2022. Likewise, he's on a pace that few other tight ends have matched through their first five seasons in the league.
Hockenson has recorded 341 receptions, 3,547 yards and 23 touchdowns heading into 2024. Only two tight ends in history have amassed higher numbers in each category through their first five NFL seasons — Jimmy Graham and Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow.
Whoever ranked Hockenson outside the top 10 is entitled to their opinion. However, there's reason to believe he'll prove those doubters wrong, especially considering his body of work and 2023 output, which saw him finish among the top five in receiving yards (fourth), touchdowns (tied for third) and receptions (second) among tight ends.
