Round 1 Pick 8 TJ Hockenson Analysis

SI NFL Draft 2019 Grades: Analysis of Every Round 1 Pick (8. DETROIT LIONS: TE T.J. HOCKENSON: Head coach Matt Patricia fired offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter in part because Cooter was not overly familiar with the Patriots-style scheme that Patricia wants to run. (We’ll soon find out if new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is.) Obviously, a Patriots-style scheme has plenty of room for a five-tool tight end. Hockenson might not be the next Rob Gronkowski (those would be unfair expectations to place upon any player), but like Gronk, he is both a high-level receiver and blocker. That gives the Lions schematic flexibility and helps a running game that, incredibly, has remained mostly dormant since Barry Sanders’s sudden retirement. The fact that Detroit signed ex-Steeler Jesse James for $10.5M guaranteed in free agency suggests they want to keep two tight ends on the field, which helps simplify the looks they’ll see from opposing defenses. GRADE: A):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/04/25/nfl-draft-2019-first-round-grades-analysis-news

247 Sports Grades (Hockenson:  Grade: A-.  Hockenson is everything teams want in a well-rounded player, tight end and person. He's arguably one of the safer picks in the entire draft because he does nearly everything well on the field and off and figures to start and play a big role in Detroit. The Lions signed Jesse James this offseason to form a solid 1-2 punch, but that doesn't matter because the tight end spot was a major hole for the team last season and arguably in the last handful of years. That problem is erased now with the addition of Hockenson. The only question here will be if Ed Oliver would have made more sense. Oliver, though, seemed like more of a luxury pick given Detroit's relative strength up front while Hockenson filled an actual major need. Lions fans will have to simply let the Eric Ebron comparisons go, because Hockenson is not Ebron, or vise versa. This was a solid pick that has the chance to become elite if Hockenson becomes the All-Pro he can be in the NFL with the right development. That's coaching he figures to get with Darrell Bevell.):  https://247sports.com/nfl/detroit-lions/LongFormArticle/Lions-2019-NFL-Draft-player-grades-131613886/#131613886_1

NFL.com Grades (Detroit Lions
Draft pick: Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson (No. 8 overall) - Day 1 grade: B+. Draft analysis: I love Hockenson as a two-way tight end prospect. He will be a strong target for Matthew Stafford and a nice blocker in the run game. But he wasn't the top player available: it was defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Time will tell which way they should have gone with that pick.):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001028217/article/2019-nfl-draft-day-1-quicksnap-grades-for-all-32-teams

Yahoo 2019 NFL draft: First-round picks (Detroit Lions: T.J. Hockenson, TE Iowa:  Can catch and block, a rarity at tight end these days. The Lions will rely on him more for the latter to start, with the hope that A) he becomes a playmaker by Year 2 or 3 and B) isn’t Eric Ebron. GRADE: B):  https://sports.yahoo.com/2019-nfl-draft-first-round-picks-002757467.html

Detroit News NFL Draft grades for first round (8. Detroit: T.J. Hockenson, TE (Iowa): A lot of fans will pan this pick, but tight end was a glaring hole for the Lions last season, with Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo unable to fill the void after Eric Ebron was let go. Hockenson is a strong receiver and blocker, who gives quarterback Matthew Stafford another weapon through the air. Hockenson could follow in the footsteps of fellow former Iowa standout George Kittle, who is starring in San Francisco. Grade: B):  https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/lions/2019/04/26/detroit-news-nfl-draft-grades-first-round/3581074002/

Birkett's Grades (Grade: B-plus.  Analysis: Hockenson is an excellent player, a well-rounded tight end who should be an immediate starter. The only question is whether there’s enough value to take a tight end at No. 8, especially with some good defensive players on the board. Time will tell.):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/04/27/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-grades-bob-quinn/3603216002/

CBS 2019 NFL Draft tracker: All the latest picks (TJ Hockenson - Grade: B-.  He's a good player, but let's stop with all the comparisons to Rob Gronkowski. He's a good blocker, but nowhere near as good as Gronkowski. He's more George Kittle. Can he rush the passer because the Lions can't rush the passer?):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/draft-tracker/

Lions wire - Grading the Detroit Lions pick of T.J. Hockenson (Grade: C+):  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/04/25/grading-the-detroit-lions-pick-of-t-j-hockenson/

Walter football Live 2019 NFL Draft Grades (Detroit Lions: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa C Grade.  This pick will be hailed as a great selection by the media because T.J. Hockenson is a big name, but I'm not a huge fan. Tight ends typically go later than anticipated, so using the eighth-overall selection on one seems questionable, especially with a stud player like Ed Oliver still on the board. Hockenson will be a terrific player for the Lions, so I won't grade this poorly, but they should've either chosen Oliver or moved down a few spots to get more value than this.):  http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades.php

Carlos Monarrez - Lions get C-minus for drafting Iowa's T.J. Hockenson. Here's why:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/04/25/detroit-lions-draft-grade-tj-hockenson/3581021002/

FTW Grading the Lions' 2019 NFL Draft picks (No. 8: T.J. Hockenson, TE Iowa - Analysis: Hockenson should develop into a fine tight end … just not one who really makes a difference for the Lions. Those game-changing tight ends are rare. Merely good tight ends are not and should not be taken with a top-10 pick, as Detroit learned the last time it used one on the position.  GRADE: C-):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/04/lions-2019-nfl-draft-picks-grades-analysis

PFF's live analysis of the 2019 NFL Draft (Detroit Lions – TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa:  The Lions’ offensive coordinator will need to make Hockenson’s receiving prowess a focal point of the Detroit offense in order for this pick to reach value, but he is clearly the most complete tight end in this class. The Lions gave former Steelers TE Jesse James a big contract in March, thus the addition of Hockenson means Detroit is now possibly the most tight end-invested team in the league.  Hockenson led the draft class with an 89.5 overall grade in 2018.  His receiving grade was good for second among his classmates.  He had the lowest drop rate of any tight end in the FBS that saw 50-plus catchable targets (2.0%).  No tight end picked up more chain-moving receptions on third-down last season (15).):  https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-pffs-live-analysis-of-the-2019-nfl-draft

2019 NFL draft: Pros and cons for each first-round pick (T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa:  Why they picked him: Hockenson is the best offensive playmaker left on the board and the clear best tight end in the draft. He's a complete tight end and one who can handle both blocking duties and is a strong pass catcher. All along, general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia pointed to tight end as a clear need for the franchise. They signed Jesse James in free agency, but clearly they view Hockenson as more of a complete tight end. The position was useless for Detroit this year. Now, the Lions have to hope Hockenson can solve that.  Biggest question: Why not Ed Oliver? Oliver is a potential transcendent defensive talent and someone who could play all across Detroit's defensive line. With Oliver on the board, the biggest question is why Detroit needs a tight end. There's no question about that. And Hockenson is a very, very good talent. But if Oliver ends up being an Aaron Donald-type player and Hockenson doesn't develop into a top 5 NFL tight end, this pick could be reminiscent of the last time the Lions took a tight end in the top 10. -- Michael Rothstein):  http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26545631/2019-nfl-draft-pros-cons-every-first-round-pick

ESPN’s Mel Kiper: T.J. Hockenson a ‘throwback’ and an athlete:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/04/espns-mel-kiper-tj-hockenson-a-throwback-and-an-athlete.html

NFL.com Analysis (When you're Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia and were in New England and watched Rob Gronkowski, you like a guy like this. Now, he's no Rob Gronkowski, but he's a dominant run blocker and more than adequate in the pass game. He'll be great in the red zone. He's a savvy route runner. He's not the best player in the draft, but he's my favorite player. -- Daniel Jeremiah):   https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/picks?pick=8

Sporting News Analysis (Hockenson (6-5, 251 pounds) looks like the next great all-around player at the position with his hands, physicality, smarts and agility, a la fellow former Hawkeye George Kittle. This pick signals the Lions are committed more to power running in their offense and also will employ Hockenson as a busy target in the middle of the field.):  http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/draft/2019/draft-results/round/1

NFL draft tracker: LIVE Round 1 updates, analysis (8. Lions — T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa: Don't buy into the Gronk comps. But if Hockenson can be Jason Witten-plus (as a football player that is), Detroit will be in good shape. Hockenson is a fantastic blocker, which is becoming a rarity at the position anymore, but also averaged nearly 15 yards per catch for the Hawkeyes. Nice pick and relief for any in Motown who might've been missing Eric Ebron in 2018 (there were some of you).):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2019/04/25/nfl-draft-live-tracker-2019-pick-analysis-first-round/3567687002/

Draft Scout - 2019 #8 Detroit Lions –T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa (OUTLOOK: A first down waiting to happen, you might as well call him, “Mr. Automatic.” Hockenson plays beyond the whistle. He would be an all-pro fullback, the fact that he possesses the size to play tight end and can be a receiving threat as well, makes him a blue chip prospect at his position. After an outstanding season, in which he accumulated 760 receiving yards on 49 receptions and six touchdowns, Hockenson was awarded with the 2018 John Mackey Award as top tight end in the nation. He also took home the Ozzie Newsome Award and First-Team All-American honors. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Hockenson go in the top ten.):  https://footballmaven.io/nfldraftscout/news/2019-8-detroit-lions-t-j-hockenson-te-iowa--gsA0hWJ3kC2LhkEEa92GQ/

Chris Trapasso Draft takeaways: Live analysis for every pick (Lions get complete, dynamic TE in Hockenson, but value isn't there
I love T.J. Hockenson as much as the next guy. Well, maybe not that much, and it's not because of the player. It's become of the position he plays. Hockenson is my No. 1 tight end in this class because he can do it all. Stretch the seam with plus explosiveness. High-point on inaccurate throws. Accumulate big yards after the catch. And block better than anyone at his position in this draft.  But three tight ends have gone inside the top 10 in the last 16 years -- Eric Ebron (2014), Vernon Davis (2006), and Kellen Winslow II (2004). All good players. Did any of them totally change their respective offenses? Nope. It's just hard for a tight end to do that in this day and age. If the Lions want to force feed Hockenson the ball and keep him on the field for 70-80% of the snaps, I'm more OK with this selection.  And Lions head coach Matt Patricia certainly knows how vital and elite tight end can be after his time in New England. Of course though, I don't think Hock is the next Rob Gronkowski. The former Iowa tight end is a squeaky clean prospect. The value just isn't there at tight end inside the top 10.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-live-analysis-giants-pick-daniel-jones-much-too-early-raiders-shock-with-clelin-ferrell/

Detroit News Live updates: Michigan's Bush goes 10th to Steelers, Gary 12th to Packers (8. Detroit Lions: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa:  Well, this isn't the sexy pick, with Houston pass rusher Ed Oliver on the board and memories of choosing Eric Ebron over Los Angeles Rams All-Pro Aaron Donald still fresh.  Still, it's a pick that brings a lot of dimension to a Lions offense that desperately needs it. At 6-4, 251 lbs., Hockenson has drawn comparisons to former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, and while that's an aggressive projection, the arsenal is there.):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/04/25/live-updates-nfl-draft-round-1/3566196002/

Detroit Lions' 2019 draft: Analysis for every pick (TJ Hockenson - My take: I would have thought this was a smart selection and the Lions were doing exactly what Bob Quinn was expected to do -- select a player at a position of need with a high floor and high character -- except that was before Ed Oliver slipped down to No. 8. Oliver is a potential game-changing defensive talent who could play multiple spots in Matt Patricia's defense and seemed like a smart fit. Instead, the Lions brought in a player who makes sense on a lot of levels but will have to be one of the best at his position to make it a strong pick down the road.  What about Ed Oliver? That is going to be the question for at least a little while, in part because of what happened the last time Detroit took a tight end in the top 10. That was Eric Ebron, who ended up becoming a Pro Bowler in Indianapolis. In Detroit, though, he was often known as the player selected ahead of Aaron Donald, Taylor Lewan, Zack Martin and Odell Beckham Jr. Who knows whether that happens again, but the comparisons are certainly there. Hockenson, though, is a stronger overall prospect than Ebron and fills a need, where Ebron was largely viewed as a luxury pick.  Tight ends will get opportunities: Between the signing of Jesse James in free agency and the drafting of Hockenson early, don't be surprised if the Lions run a lot of two-tight-end sets in Darrell Bevell's new offense. Bevell and Matt Patricia clearly want to focus on the run and Hockenson is a strong blocker, which makes him an every-down type of player for Detroit. Considering all of Quinn's first-round picks have started immediately for the Lions, figure Hockenson to do the same this year -- and be on the field a lot for Matthew Stafford, who lacked a consistent tight end to throw to last year. He'll also give Stafford another red-zone option, which can only help a new offense.:  http://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/35398/detroit-lions-2019-draft-analysis-for-every-pick

ESPN Tracker (Pre-Draft Analysis - Hockenson is the rare tight end coming out of college who is a weapon in the passing game and as a blocker. He's a naturally instinctive route runner with an outstanding combination of height, weight, playing speed and strength. He has exceptional ball skills.  Post-Draft Analysis - The Lions came into the draft looking to add weapons for quarterback Matthew Stafford and improve a running game that ranked 23rd in rushing yards per game last year. Adding Hockenson accomplishes both. Look for him to win the starting job early. -- Steve Muench):  http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/rounds

PFT Analysis (8. Lions: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa.  A year after the Lions tried to trade for Gronk, they potentially get a Gronk of their own.):  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/04/26/round-one-2019-nfl-draft/

1st Round Review (Reports leading up to the draft all seemed to indicate Detroit was looking to move down, but Hockenson is an ideal fit.  The Lions attempted to trade for Rob Gronkowski last offseason and still hadn’t adequately addressed the position.  There is only one “Gronk”, but Hockenson may be as close as you’ll get in this or any other year.  Not only is Hockenson going to be a reliable weapon for Matthew Stafford to throw to but he also excels as a blocker and serve as an extension of the offensive line.  Hockenson is one of the safest prospects in this class so the Lions can rest easy knowing they added another piece of the puzzle.):  http://www.draftcountdown.com/2019/1st-round-review/