T.J. Hockenson making early impact at Lions training camp

T.J. Hockenson was considered the top tight end in the 2019 NFL Draft and he’s already validating that ranking early at Detroit Lions training camp.

The Detroit Lions selected former Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson with the eighth overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft because he presented as one of the best all-around prospects in the class. His scouting report suggested he had the highest floor in the class while also possessions a ceiling that rivals the best tight ends in the league.

Early at Lions training camp, he’s proving to be every bit the player scouts thought he was.

According to Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon, Hockenson made multiple plays in practice Friday that should have fans excited.

Here’s Risdon’s breakdown of what he considered the rookie’s best play so far:

“Hockenson ran the seam against zone coverage and as he crossed the goal line, David Fales zipped a pass that was perfectly placed, although low and behind Hockenson (anywhere else and it would’ve been intercepted). Hockenson was able to throttle down from full speed, sink his hips to drop his center of gravity, flip his body 180-degrees to adjust to the ball, and then engulfed it like a vacuum.”

First-round tight ends rarely make a significant impact in their rookie season. Take O.J. Howard (Buccaneers) for example. He possesses a skill set similar to Hockenson and finished his rookie year with just 26 catches for 432 yards in 14 games. He did score an impressive six touchdowns that year.

The last time the Lions spent a top-10 pick on a tight end was Eric Ebron back in 2014. He finished his rookie year with 25 catches for 248 yards and one touchdown (13 games).

Hockenson has a clear path to a significant role in the passing game in 2019. He should also factor mightily in Detroit’s run game; he’s one of the best run-blocking tight ends to enter the NFL in many years. But whether he’s able to outproduce the rookie-year numbers of highly drafted tight ends before him will depend largely on his ability to stay healthy and bust through the classic late-season rookie wall.

If there’s any player in this year’s rookie class worth betting on as a guy who will bring his A-game every week of the season, it’s Hockenson. He’s already proving he’s the real deal, and he’s just getting started.