Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Daniel Chavkin

Lions Trade Hockenson to Vikings for Draft Picks

The Lions are trading tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings ahead of the NFL trade deadline, Minnesota announced. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported that Minnesota will send Detroit a second-round pick in 2023 and a third-round pick in 2024 in return for Hockenson, a fourth-round pick in 2023 and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2024.

Detroit drafted Hockenson with pick No. 8 overall in the 2019 NFL draft, but in 3.5 years with the team, the tight end never reached 1,000 yards receiving in a season. This year, he has just 395 receiving yards and three touchdowns in seven games.

The Vikings, who lead the NFC North with a 6–1 record, add some much needed assistance to their pass offense. Hockenson instantly becomes the team’s third-leading receiver based on his current numbers and overtakes Irv Smith Jr., who has just 168 yards receiving, as the No. 1 tight end.

Breer: 2022 NFL Trade Deadline: Players Available and Potential Landing Spots

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter shortly after the trade was announced, Smith Jr. suffered an ankle and will miss 8–10 weeks.

The Lions picked up Hockenson’s fifth-year option in the offseason, so Minnesota gets the tight end for another year-and-a-half before he hits free agency.

For more Minnesota Vikings coverage, go to Inside The Vikings.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.