Last week, I suggested trades the Vikings could make that would’ve made sense. I even went so far as to throw out Kyle Pitts’ name as a potential target considering the depth at the tight end position. But acquiring the division rival Detroit Lions’ star tight end, T.J. Hockenson, seemed too much of a fantasy. Yet here we are following the trade deadline!
Trade! The #Lions are sending TE T.J. Hockenson to the #Vikings, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Minnesota sends a 2023 second-round pick and 2024 third-round pick to Detroit for Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a 2024 conditional fourth-round pick. pic.twitter.com/9P0ZjbS64g
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 1, 2022
While it may be surprising, Minnesota’s general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, has not shied away from trading within the division. In the 2022 NFL Draft, Adofo-Mensah swapped picks with both the Lions and the Packers, but a player hasn’t been on the table before. Now, Hockenson’s contract has him with the Vikings through the rest of the season as well as the next. How well will he fit into the Vikings scheme, and which team won the trade?
The Trade Itself
In trading for the tight end, the Vikings gave up this years second round draft pick and next years third. In return, the Lions sent over Hockenson, a fourth round pick this year, and a conditional fourth next year. As of right now, we do not know the conditions of the pick, but it seems likely that they will be met.
Rich Hill Trade Chart points*:
MN gets: Hockenson, 2023 R4 (38 points), 2024 R4 (32)
DET gets: 2023 R2 (91), 2024 R3 (50)
*2024 estimates
Vikes relinquish 71 points.
Upshot: Vikes acquired Hockenson for equivalent of No. 69 overall pick.
Steal for exactly what they needed.
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) November 1, 2022
In terms of total trade value, the deal is as if the Vikings gave up a late second round pick. The Lions must have been in the giving mood since their trade that resulted in selecting Jameson Williams, because the gained value for Minnesota is immense. In terms of tight end talent, Hockenson has been near the top consistently even considering his team being the consistently disappointed Lions. Not to throw too much shade at Detroit, but the best player on the team would never be able to reach his peak potential there. His presence is like keeping a Ford Bronco in the garage year-round, and never taking it for a spin. Kevin O’Connell, however, is ready to hit the highway.
The State of the Offense
The gripe week after week for the Vikings is the belief that they can be better. Tons of weapons and victories piling up, and yet the games seem always to be down to the wire. The largest problem was the lack of threats in the passing game. Other than Justin Jefferson, there aren’t enough pass catchers on the team to keep defenses afraid. Now armed with Hockenson, that changes the dynamic and will give other receivers like Adam Thielen and KJ Osborn room to separate from defenders and spread the ball around.
The Vikings' offense is looking scary 👻 pic.twitter.com/sC4JpZXyVB
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) November 1, 2022
Hockenson has 186 career receptions along with 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. He isn’t a downfield threat, but he is a RAC powerhouse. He is typically used in short to intermediate passing situations and will run over defenders with his huge six foot five inch frame with 244 pounds of muscle.
Hockenson’s Longevity
Every aspect of this trade has been in the Vikings favor and continues to be such. He has two years remaining on his rookie deal. Yes, you read that correctly. Even though he seems like he has been in the league for a long time, Hockenson is only 25 years old. He was selected eighth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Lions out of Iowa.
As it stands, the Vikings will almost certainly look to extend him past his current contract and make him the long term answer as the tight end of the future. Which also seems to solidify the decision on Irv Smith Jr. where he likely leaves the team as a free agent following the season.
It will be exciting to see exactly how O’Connell fits Hockenson into the offense, but if Jefferson’s inclusion is any indication, his talent will likely be maximized.