Detroit Lions trade TJ Hockenson to Minnesota Vikings

Prior to this early morning, the NFL trade deadline experienced been a incredibly tranquil affair. Aside from Christian McCaffrey and Roquan Smith, there was not a lot for NFL fans to get fired up about. There were dozens of rumors, revolving largely all over jogging backs like Kareem Hunt, Cam Akers, and Nyheim Hines, but no genuine moves ended up currently being created.

Then, WHAM-O! The Vikings came out of left subject to make a go that had type of flown below the radar.

Also, the Bears obtained Chase Claypool and the Dolphins acquired Bradley Chubb, but this is not about either of people gentlemen.

Sure, there experienced been rumors surrounding 2020 Professional Bowler TJ Hockenson, but the fascinated groups ended up somewhat unfamiliar. The Irv Smith Jr. harm most likely put the Vikings in worry method, and they possible hurried a deal for a activity-changer at restricted conclusion. Minnesota did not have to give up too considerably both. According to reports, the Vikings are only surrendering a 2023 2nd and a 2024 fourth even though acquiring a 2023 fourth and a conditional 2024 fourth in return. Based on Hockenson’s potential, I’d say that’s a stable deal. Maybe marginally in Detroit’s favor, but not in a landslide.

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The dilemma now is “How will this trade influence Minnesota’s offense? Does the addition of Hockenson adjust their standing as Super Bowl contenders? Is the crew a certain-hearth bet to gain the NFC North now?” I guess that’s a few inquiries, but the response to all a few is likely a resounding “Meh.”

Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has hardly ever been a major proponent of applying restricted ends in his offenses. Although he served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator, Tyler Higbee’s usage was inconsistent. Now, in his very first 12 months absent from the Rams, we have viewed Higbee’s targets, receptions, and yards go up tremendously. Hell, he’s at present on tempo to established new profession highs in those people classes. He’s not acquiring into the endzone as a great deal, but I’d be prepared to guess that will modify before long, specifically if Cooper Kupp’s ankle damage limits him in Week 9. As the offensive coordinator for Washington in 2019, O’Connell’s restricted ends — Jeremy Sprinkle, Vernon Davis, and Hale Hentges — recorded 73 whole targets. Guaranteed, that is not crazy talent, but you’d believe with the very low-close quarterback talent in that Washington locker space that yr — Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, and Colt McCoy — checkdowns to the restricted close would’ve been a quite common engage in get in touch with for the offense. They weren’t. O’Connell has hardly ever shown an capability to get his tight finishes included.

The most concerned a limited finish has ever been in any O’Connell offense has been Irv Smith Jr. this season. That probably has a ton to do with the team’s offensive coordinator, Wes Phillips, nevertheless. Following all, prior to serving on O’Connell’s Minnesota team, Phillips operated as the Los Angeles Rams’ limited finishes coach. Even now, even with a restricted finish-centered offensive coordinator, Smith was averaging considerably less than 5 targets per activity and less yards per activity than he managed to put up in 2020 as Minnesota’s co-starter with Kyle Rudolph. In essence, even with a greater offensive head coach and what was supposed to be a far more tight conclusion-centric offense, Smith nevertheless didn’t see his utilization raise by all that much in 2022.

Hockenson is additional talented than Smith, but he’s continue to not a greater receiving choice than both Justin Jefferson or Adam Thielen. A lot like Smith, it is likely that Hockenson will function as the team’s third choice in the passing video game. He could see additional targets than Smith, but I would not financial institution on Hockenson turning out to be the subsequent Mark Andrews with this shift. In reality, Hockenson’s use could continue to be just about exactly the same. Eradicating his a person tremendous match this year — which only occurred because of accidents to Amon-Ra St. Brown, D’Andre Swift, and DJ Chark — Hockenson averaged just in excess of 5 targets, accurately a few receptions, and 36 yards for every recreation. He was Detroit’s amount-two getting possibility. He’ll now drop down the depth chart, but are we to count on Hockenson to set up greater numbers? I really do not get it.

Those figures are slightly better than Smith’s and with enhanced quarterback participate in, there is a prospect Hockenson could begin averaging just around 50 yards per activity — but do not anticipate elite quantities.

Nevertheless, stats are not strictly where by Hockenson could be an enhancement. When Hockenson has never ever been an elite blocker (his prowess in that division, even though touted in higher education, is nonetheless a function in progress at the NFL level), he is improved than Smith. Kirk Cousins has experienced the next-most knockdowns of any NFL quarterback (33) and the fifth-most hurries (25). He’s enduring tension at the eighth-optimum price in the NFL (25.4 p.c). Regardless of all that, Cousins is still in close proximity to the top rated of the league in time to throw (T-4th in NFL 2.5 seconds for every dropback). Consequently, even with a bit additional time in the pocket, it is not likely that the Minnesota offense would turn into far more downfield-centered.

Where by Hockenson could make a huge change is efficiency with his use. Despite the fact that Hockenson’s utilization should not be monumentally increased than Smith’s, Hockenson could verify a great deal far more useful presented the trustworthiness of his arms. In 2021, Hockenson recorded the next-lowest fall fee amongst qualifying restricted ends (1.6 %) and the best contested capture charge (78.6 p.c). Smith has not been great in either of people departments. I’m confident Vikings admirers really do not want to revisit their decline versus Philadelphia, but that image of Smith dropping a huge-open landing is possibly nonetheless ingrained in their minds.

In 2022, Hockenson’s arms haven’t been as trustworthy. By way of 8 months, he’s obtained 3 drops, tied for the second-most in the NFL, and his fall charge of 10.3 percent is the highest of any restricted end with at least 30 targets. That reported, Hockenson has a pedigree of dependability with his hands. It is a terrible stretch, but Hockenson ought to start gravitating again towards his norm in that office.

Despite those drops, Hockenson continue to ranks fifth among the limited finishes with at minimum 30 targets in capture-in-website traffic completion amount (55.6 per cent). On 3 targets in targeted traffic, Smith had but to haul in a single go in website traffic. Which is wherever Hockenson could shine in Minnesota. In those people 3rd-and-short conditions wherever Cousins would usually go to Jefferson on an out route or Cook dinner/Mattison in the flat, Hockenson could excel in jogging quick hitches, drags, or stops just further than the line of scrimmage. With defenses very likely keying in on Jefferson and Thielen, Hockenson should really have additional place to operate, but even if he’s in targeted visitors, he’s proven an means to come away with the soccer.

All in all, Hockenson will (likely) not change into an All-Professional on par with Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, or George Kittle in Minnesota, but for the first time in his occupation, he’s got a shot at reaching the playoffs and that is all he can seriously check with for.