The Vikings and Lions were unlikely 2022 NFL trade deadline partners. But now that tight end T.J. Hockenson is on the move in the NFC North from Detroit to Minnesota, the deal makes good sense for both teams.
Hockenson, a 2020 Pro Bowler after being taken No. 8 overall in the 2019 draft, wasn’t the subject of any real trade rumors, but goes from not helping the last-place team much in the division much to boosting the already dangerous offense of the first-place team.
Sporting News hands out the trade grades to both the Vikings and the Lions:
LIVE: Trade Tracker | Grading every deal at 2022 NFL deadline
T.J. Hockenson trade grades
Vikings receive:
- TE T.J. Hockenson
- 2023 fourth-round draft pick
- 2024 conditional fourth-round draft pick
Lions receive:
- 2023 second-round draft pick
- 2024 third-round draft pick
Vikings grade: A
The Vikings have transitioned to an 11-personnel passing offense (three wide receivers) with Kirk Cousins under rookie coach Kevin O’Connell. Their running game has gone from zone to power. That means they are less reliant on using two tight ends and needed a healthy, versatile one, equally adept at receiving and blocking.
Minnesota may have had big plans for Irv Smith Jr., but he was slow returning from his major knee injury. Now Smith will need to miss significant time after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Cardinals in Week 8, thus the need for the reasonable quick splurge on Hockenson
The Vikings have an elite wide receiver in Justin Jefferson and a reliable feature back in Dalvin Cook. Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn have fared well when needed as complementary wideouts.
Hockenson gives them much more pop at tight end than the occasional red zone usage of the next man up after Smith, Johnny Mundt. Hockenson can be a dangerous intermediate target playing off Jefferson as well as get down and dirty to pave the way better for Cook. Given O’Connell’s Rams background and his new tight end’s alma mater, Hockenson will serve as part Tyler Higbee, part George Kittle.
Minnesota is 6-1 and wanted to make a move to boost its chances to go deep in the NFC playoffs. Hockenson is a sneaky smart one within the division, especially with the Packers reportedly wanting tight end help, too.
POWER RANKINGS: Vikings, Lions trending in opposite directions
Lions grade: B
The Lions settled in essence for upgrading a few future picks in 2023 and 2024 with the move. Hockenson was signed through only next season on his rookie contract, when he would have carried a cap hit of $9.392 million, big for a rebuilding team.
Detroit was already sitting on two first-round picks in ’23. Now it has two second-rounders, meaning as of now, it would be selecting five times in the first 65 picks within a strong overall upcoming draft class. GM Brad Holmes is trying to grab every rebuilding resource available to change the fortunes of his team. You can’t blame him given the poor results even with a healthy Hockenson playing for them.
As for wanting to help Minnesota, it was more of a mutual win-now for win-later type of deal that neither team could afford to pass up.
