The Minnesota Vikings are upgrading the tight end position. They acquired tight end TJ Hockenson from the Detroit Lions through a trade just before the NFL trade deadline.
TJ Hockenson is a much-needed addition to the 6-1 Minnesota Vikings. The tight end position is one of their weakest links this season. Current starter Irv Smith Jr. is injured again and wasn’t performing at a high level prior to the latest injury. They officially placed him on injured reserve today.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported today:
Vikings’ TE Irv Smith is expected to be sidelined 8-10 weeks with his high ankle sprain, per source.
Regardless of what happens with Irv Smith Jr., Hockenson is a good candidate to take over as the main tight end in Minnesota going forward. He is arguably a top 10 tight end in the NFL and will provide upgraded relief to quarterback Kirk Cousins.
So far this season the 25-year-old has 395 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. This is production that the Vikings are currently lacking from the position.
Full TJ Hockenson trade details
Lions receive
- 2023 2nd-round pick
- 2024 3rd-round pick.
Vikings receive
- TE TJ Hockenson
- 2023 4th-round pick
- 2024 conditional 4th-rounder
NFC North Standings
- Minnesota Vikings 6-1
- Green Bay Packers 3-5
- Chicago Bears 3-5
- Detroit Lions 1-6
Social Media reactions to TJ Hockenson trade
Nick Olson on Twitter talked about the instant upgrade for the Vikings.
Boot rollouts hitting TJ Hockenson in the flat sound a heck of a lot more appealing than rollouts hitting Johnny Mundt in the flat
Hockenson is part of an elite tight-end group via NFL on CBS on Twitter.
Tight ends to have a game with 8 rec, 175 rec yards, 2 rec TD since the start of last season: George Kittle Travis Kelce TJ HOCKENSON
This move isn’t just about 2022. Hockenson can be siged long term. Tweet via Ted Glover on Twitter.
