With expectations through the roof for tight end T.J. Hockenson, should Detroit Lions’ fans expect a slow start during the first rounder’s rookie season?
When the Detroit Lions made Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson the eighth overall selection in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, an audible sigh could be heard across the Motor City. And that had little to with the outstanding prospect himself and more to do with the history of his position.
With visions of tight ends Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew dancing in their heads, Lions’ fans will need to see Hockenson produce big numbers on the field in order to shake the stigma left by those former first-rounders. Unfortunately, Hockenson’s first season in Motown could be destined for a slow start.
On top of being a tough position to learn, the Lions also brought in other tight ends who will compete for playing time, limiting Hockenson’s opportunities during games and in practice. Chief among them being Jesse James, a four-year veteran brought in during free agency after a successful stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As ESPN’s Michael Rothstein explained last month, the presence of James has already started eating away at Hockenson’s opportunities over OTAs and minicamp this offseason.
"“A note on T.J. Hockenson: Unlike the Lions’ prior first round picks Frank Ragnow, Jarrad Davis and Taylor Decker, he hasn’t received a ton of first-team reps. Part of that could be due to Jesse James also needing to learn the offense. There’s also that Hockenson could be learning different parts with different units.”"
Hockenson comes to Detroit as the league’s top tight end prospect in years. Yet, he is not entering a situation in Detroit where most first-rounders find themselves. The fact the Lions brought in a new offensive coordinator in Darrell Bevell means both rookies and veterans alike are learning a new scheme.
Although that puts Hockenson on equal-footing with many of players on the current roster, it also means coaches will not be able to focus as much teaching the first-year tight end over, say, a more-experienced veteran who already knows the system.
Secondly, the presence of a veteran like James means Hockenson will simply not be handed a starting role. Instead, he’ll have to earn his snaps, unlike many first-rounders who are automatically named the starter simply due to team need.
At the very least it appears T.J. Hockenson will be splitting snaps with Jesse James in Detroit. That doesn’t even account for outlier tight ends like Logan Thomas and rookie Isaac Nauta who will also be in the mix. The point being Lions’ fans may need to temper their expectations for Hockenson in his first season. If the numbers aren’t first round-worthy, remember his opportunities may not have been first-round worthy either.