T.J. Hockenson (TE, DET) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~45-50 Overall

CURRENT ADP: ~58

ANALYSIS: Hockenson was fourth amongst tight ends in receptions (67), third in receiving yards (723), and ninth in touchdowns (six) last season. Additionally, per PlayerProfiler.com, he finished fourth in yards after catch (328) below just Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, and Noah Fant. His combination of talent, athleticism, and projected high target share should have fantasy managers very excited for his prospects of a breakout campaign in 2021.

Golladay and Jones are gone, and the Lions brought in Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman as their replacements. Williams hasn’t seen more than 69 targets since 2016 when he saw a career-high 119 targets, and Perriman has never seen more than 69 targets in his entire six-year career. Neither guy is suddenly going to become an alpha WR1 at this point in their career, thus making it likely Hockenson takes over as the number one option in the passing game.

6.5 targets per game in a 17-game season would equate to almost 111 targets. That should be viewed as Hockenson’s floor this season as neither Tyrell Williams nor Breshad Perriman project to steal many targets, thus giving Hockenson an opportunity to be like a Darren Waller-type threat. At 6’5”, 248 lbs., he should also quickly become Jared Goff’s favorite red-zone weapon.

Kelce and Waller sit atop the tight end rankings this season, but a case could absolutely be made for Hockenson to finish right below them. It wouldn’t shock me to see him surpass George Kittle as the overall TE3 in 2021.

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