Entering the NFL last year, there was plenty of skepticism surrounding Detroit Lions TE T.J. Hockenson. Now in his second year in the league, Hockenson is proving the skeptics wrong and gaining attention as a rising star.
“With the Eighth Pick in the 2019 NFL Draft…”
On April 25th, 2019, I was one of those previously mentioned skeptics. Lions fans like myself felt slightly frustrated when Roger Goodell announced the team was picking Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson eighth overall. This was coming just a few years after Detroit used a top ten pick on TE Eric Ebron, which turned out to be a disaster in the Motor City.
Hockenson had plenty of praise coming out of college and was going to be a first-round pick no matter what. The frustration was mostly out of fear of having another Eric Ebron situation, where the Lions selected a TE in the top ten only to release him at the end of his rookie contract. There was little doubt Hockenson’s ability to be a good NFL tight end. However, was he going to be the right fit for Detroit, and was he going to be worth a top ten pick? Those were the questions on every Lions fan’s mind.
Hockenson’s Rookie Year
When T.J. Hockenson caught six passes for 131 yards and a TD in his NFL debut, it looked like the immediate answer was yes. He burst onto the scene with an instant impact on the team. His outstanding debut had him looking like a potential superstar right away. However, Hockenson only eclipsed 50 yards receiving one other time during his rookie season in 2019.
Furthermore, 2019 also saw the Iowa product only having five or more catches once besides his debut. Hockenson had six catches on Thanksgiving Day against the Bears, a game that turned out to be his last appearance of 2019.
Following Thanksgiving, the Lions placed Hockenson on the IR due to an ankle injury. With the Lions struggling that season anyway, ensuring the future health of their top draft pick was a sensible move. However, the inconsistency in receiving numbers left plenty to be desired.
2020: The Year of Hockenson
With the numbers Hockenson is producing in 2020, those desires are now being met. Through Week 13, the TE has started in all 12 games, the same number of games he appeared in during the 2019 season. The stats for Hockeson through 12 games in 2020 show that he’s on the path to becoming a star TE in the NFL.
52 receptions, 614 yards, and five TDs. Those are Hockenson’s numbers so far in 2020. The Iowa product has also surpassed the 50 yards receiving mark eight times this season, compared to just twice last year. His performances in the previous two games for Detroit have been stellar, with 89 yards against Houston and 84 yards against the Bears.
TJ Hockenson keeps this one off the ground. Great snag. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/mWH5P54PYl
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) December 6, 2020
Hockenson’s increase in usage in 2020 has helped his reputation among Detroit fans tremendously. The concerns about his value as a top ten pick are beginning to vanish. As a Lions fan, I was among those doubters. However, seeing him thrive this season is changing my mind, especially after his last two stellar performances.
Where Can Hockenson Go From Here?
T.J. Hockenson’s value in Detroit’s offense seems to be growing every game. He saw nine targets against the Bears, the second-most he’s seen this year. With Darrell Bevell in charge as interim head coach, Hockenson’s stock should remain high as the Lions close out the season.
Looking further into the future, Hockenson’s rookie contract keeps him in Detroit through 2022. It’s possible by then he might be seen as a premier TE in the NFL. If that’s the case, the Lions should try to lock him down and cement him as an established force in the offense. A rebuild is on the horizon for Detroit football. Having an emerging offensive star at TE can be a major help for the team going forward. On behalf of all those who doubted you, keep proving us wrong T.J.
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