The Packers have a lot of position holes to fill from edge rusher, middle linebacker, safety to offensive lineman and tight end. One player that gets mentioned as a good fit with the Green Bay Packers is Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Many experts are predicting that T.J. Hockenson will be the first tight end drafted in April. He stands at 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 251 pounds. He is hailed for his pass catching abilities but is also one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft. With new Packers head coach Matt Lafleur wanting to run the ball more, being able to have players at the skill positions who can block is going to be key.
At the NFL Combine, Hockenson clocked a 4.7-second 40-yard dash. Those are solid and respectable numbers for a tight end. He had 17 repetitions on the bench press, was second-best among all tight ends at the combine with a 37.5 vertical jump, and had a 10 feet 3-inch jump in the broad jump. Overall, it was solid combine, which should keep his stock as the first tight end selected.
Granted, the Packers brass has confirmed that the team is bringing Jimmy Graham back for a second season with the team, he wasn’t as productive as they hoped for in his first season. General Manager Brian Gutekunst could select his tight end of the future at some point in the draft.
It is hard to get a grasp on where T.J. Hockenson would be drafted at this point. Some mock drafts have him off the board before the Packers draft at number 12, and some have him being selected some place between 20 – 29.
Hockenson played two seasons at Iowa. According to ESPN stats, his sophomore in 2018 he caught 49 passes for 760 yards and six touchdowns. During his freshman year, he caught 24 passes for 320 yards and 3 touchdowns. He more than doubled his production.
With the Packers reportedly going after edge rushers in free agency, it is possible that Gutekunst spends one of his first-round
Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag
13 responses to “Green Bay draft prospect TE T.J. Hockenson”
Taking this guy at #12, with all the elite talent in the top half of Round 1, would be WEAPONS-GRADE STUPID.
If Gute does that, then fire Gute immediately.
Id have to agree unless he make magic happen with the rest of the picks Kevin Costner style…I think 12 has to be Edge, Devin White, maybe Andre Dillard or trade back
I like White and Dillard, though I think Dillard will fall further. Unfortunately, it’s hard seeing White fall past the Lions at #8.
I’d take Dillard, unless Montez Sweat is dangling there at 12.
I like Dillard too and think he’s exactly what Gute is looking for in lineman, it’s just so hard to draft a tackle that high with so many other needs and huge drop off after top 6 edge guys
I would like them to pick up a FA edge to team with Fackrall, like a Justin Houston, for example…..
I threw up a little reading “to pair with Fackrell”
Can’t argue with the 10 sacks last season, though.
Given history, he has to duplicate it. PFF ranked him #43 edge last year which is not good for a double digits sack year
A top 3 TE will be available at 30 AND at 44. They need to start transitioning away from Bulaga. Get an OT in round 1 and move Bulaga inside.
Agreed.