The Detroit Lions have traded tight end TJ Hockenson to their NFC North rival the Minnesota Vikings. In this rare inter-divisional trade the Detroit Lions send their tight end and a 2023 fourth-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick. This deal is a bit shocking because Hockenson is young, a vital member of the offense, and was not necessarily on the trade block according to NFL reports. With the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline just hours away, the Vikings add a top offensive weapon at tight end.
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
In his four-year career with the Detroit Lions, TJ Hockenson caught 186 passes for 2,068 yards and 15 touchdowns on 287 targets. Considered a generational tight end prospect coming out of college he’d shown flashes of that ability with the Lions, but hadn’t quite broken out as the star he was expected to be in the NFL. Heading to a far more potent offense with a passing-minded coaching staff could help improve his numbers drastically. There are more talented receivers in Minnesota, but the team has even more options now. Minnesota makes a win-now move while Detroit stacks up some more draft capital for the future.
