TJ Hockenson has established himself as one of the most dependable tight ends in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL, although injuries have limited his ability to reach his full potential in fantasy football. As he recovers from knee surgery, Hockenson is projected to remain a top-five tight end candidate for 2025 fantasy football, supported by consistent targets but facing constraints in touchdown opportunities within the Vikings’ offense.
During his time with the Detroit Lions in 2022, Hockenson served as a dynamic playmaker in seven games, recording 26 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns on 43 targets. The bulk of this production came in a standout Week 4 performance, when he hauled in eight catches for 179 yards and two scores. After being traded to Minnesota, Hockenson functioned as a reliable safety valve for quarterback Kirk Cousins. He demonstrated dependable consistency, reaching a minimum of five catches in eight of 12 games (including the postseason), highlighted by two high-impact games with 13 catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns, and 10 catches for 129 yards.
For the full 2022 season, Hockenson set career highs with 86 receptions, 914 receiving yards, and 129 targets, earning second place in tight end scoring on a PPR (point per reception) basis. His second season with the Vikings saw further growth as he increased his receptions to 95 and receiving yards to 960, showing his ability to consistently gain yards after the catch with 13 receptions exceeding 20 yards. He maintained a close-to-the-line-of-scrimmage role with an average of 10.1 yards per catch.
In 2023, Hockenson started strong, delivering three games with seven or more catches, including performances of 8 receptions for 35 yards, 7 for 66 yards and two touchdowns, and 8 for 78 yards. His best showings came at home with 11 catches for 86 yards and 11 catches for 134 yards with one touchdown. The Vikings frequently targeted him, with four games featuring double-digit targets and an average of 8.5 targets per game. However, his season was cut short when he suffered torn ACL and MCL injuries in Week 16, requiring surgery in late January.
Recovery challenges extended into the 2024 season, leading to Hockenson missing the first seven games. Once returning, he participated in 11 contests including postseason play, catching 46 passes from 67 targets for 519 yards and a single touchdown. His most productive outings during this stretch were in Week 10 (8 receptions for 72 yards), Week 12 (7 receptions for 114 yards), and the first playoff game (5 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown).
Analysis of TJ Hockenson’s 2025 Fantasy Football Prospects
Looking ahead to 2025, the Vikings’ tight end position is expected to regain momentum, with Hockenson continuing as a core component of their passing attack. The offense tends to utilize him as a short-yardage option, especially in third-down situations or when the offensive line struggles, which limits his potential for big-yardage plays and touchdowns. Had he played a full 17-game campaign in 2024, projections suggest he would have recorded around 71 receptions for 802 yards and two touchdowns.
Entering 2025 drafts, Hockenson is generally considered the fifth tight end off the board, a ranking that reflects moderate expectations for touchdown production without significant increases in catches or receiving yards. Fantasy managers often view his selection as a coin toss between him and Sam Laporta. While Hockenson holds an advantage in volume and target share, Laporta leads in scoring opportunities. Currently, Hockenson stands as the TE6 in many 2025 PPR fantasy rankings, underscoring his continued value despite injury concerns.
Implications for Fantasy Football Owners and the Vikings’ Offense
Hockenson’s sustained presence as a top-tier fantasy tight end in 2025 highlights his resilience and the trust placed in him by the Vikings’ coaching staff. His ability to deliver steady receptions and yardage, even while returning from a significant knee injury, makes him a viable option for fantasy rosters seeking reliability over boom-or-bust upside. The Vikings’ offense benefits from his role as a dependable outlet for Kirk Cousins, particularly in critical short-yardage scenarios that maintain drives.
For fantasy owners, the main consideration will be managing expectations around touchdown production while capitalizing on his volume floor in PPR formats. His ongoing recovery and the team’s offensive dynamics suggest that while Hockenson may not ascend to elite scoring levels, he remains an attractive and safe selection within the middle tiers of the tight end draft pool. Monitoring his health and usage patterns early in the 2025 season will be essential for maximizing his fantasy value.