T.J. Hockenson

"Older than we think with QB questions"

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Hockenson's ceiling drops a little and his volatility increases because of the unknown of J.J. McCarthy. Do we get the playmaker who can buy time and in and outside the pocket? Or, do we get the poor decision-maker in the red zone and black zones who is prone to management mistakes and missed coverage adjustments? 

Likely a little of both, which caps Hockenson's TD potential this year.  It won't be enough to keep him outside TE1 territory, but likely outside the top five. 

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More distance between Hockenson and the knee injury should lead to an even more productive version of the six-year veteran. 

Across his previous five seasons, Hockenson averaged five touchdowns per season. That would lend to the belief that a return to the mean could be in the cards for 2025. He saw nine red zone targets in his 10 games last season. None of those targets went for touchdowns. 

For reference, he was targeted 14 times in the red zone with the Vikings in his first season. That was tied for the third-highest mark in the league. Four receptions were for touchdowns. 

He’s a downfield threat in the O’Connell system. His 8.7 air yards were a career-high, and his 11.1 yards per reception was the second-highest mark of his career.