Detroit Lions Look Set To Bet On T.J. Hockenson’s Future Production

T.J. Hockenson has but to ship elite tight finish manufacturing throughout his three seasons within the NFL however the Detroit Lions look like able to financial institution on him imminently making such a leap.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler this week reported the Lions are anticipated to prioritize a contract extension for Hockenson earlier than the beginning of the season. Having beforehand failed to come back to an settlement with the 2019 first-round choose, the Lions picked up his fifth-year choice in April.

He is because of earn $9.4 million underneath that choice in 2023 after a 2022 season wherein he can be paid $6.5 million.

Hockenson has 1,673 receiving yards in his NFL profession, his greatest 12 months coming in 2020— the one season that has seen him play each sport—when he completed with 723 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Whereas his uncooked numbers might not be overly spectacular, Hockenson has been a constant scoring risk—scoring 10 touchdowns in his final two seasons—and has produced effectivity for the Lions.

Certainly, the 2021 season noticed Hockenson end eleventh amongst qualifying tight ends in Soccer Outsiders DYAR, which measures complete worth.

Ought to the Lions discover long-term settlement with Hockenson, they won’t be committing to him for his earlier efficiency, they are going to be extending him due to what they suppose he can produce within the coming years.

Hockenson was seen as the very best all-round tight finish within the 2019 draft having excelled as each a blocker and a receiver in school at Iowa. That he was one of many extra environment friendly tight ends within the NFL final season whereas enjoying for an offense that was twenty fourth in Anticipated Factors Added per play on dropbacks—based on rbsdm.com—is testomony to his expertise.

Following a robust offseason for Detroit, Hockenson needs to be in a significantly better place to appreciate his potential. The Lions added a pair of deep threats in D.J. Chark and first-round draft choose Jameson Williams—although the latter might not be prepared for Week 1—this offseason and their potential to stretch defenses vertically might properly open the beneath areas for Hockenson to take advantage of extra persistently.

But Hockenson’s potential to achieve his NFL ceiling with the Lions is probably going reliant on Detroit discovering a quarterback of the longer term. Whereas Jared Goff has thus far been an appropriate stopgap for the Lions after transitioning from the Matthew Stafford period and committing to a rebuild, he was not acquired with any considered him being the long-term reply underneath middle.

With two first-round picks in 2023, nevertheless, the Lions ought to have the chance to land a quarterback of the longer term within the draft. If Detroit reaches an settlement on an extension with Hockenson, it is going to be a present of religion within the former Hawkeye taking the following step and the Lions figuring out the correct quarterback to assist him attain his ceiling.