Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson projected on future fantasy studs list

Fantasy managers who believe in T.J. Hockenson are hoping he takes a step into the elite class of tight ends this year, and he has made a list of future fantasy studs too.

T.J. Hockenson has a been a top-10 fantasy tight end on a per-game basis in each of the last two years as he topped 60 receptions in both. But alas, he missed the final five games last year and that stopped him from pushing into the top-tier of tight ends in real-life or fantasy football.

Hockenson fits as an ideal prominent target for Lions quarterback Jared Goff. So even with more competition for targets, the former top-10 pick’s role is not going away this year. There seems to be room for his role in the offense to evolve too.

Hockenson is 25 years old entering his fourth NFL season. He seems sure to be a Lion for years to come, as he’s lined up for a nice multi-year deal soon and the team has not appeared hesitant to do it.

T.J. Hockenson makes ESPN list of future fantasy studs

At its very core, for one season or multiple years, fantasy football is a projection and prediction business. With that in mind Tristan Cockcroft and Matt Bowen of ESPN have put together an All-2025 fantasy football team.

So who do they think will be the top fantasy studs three years from now?

Going with two quarterbacks, two running backs, three wide receivers, two tight ends and a flex spot on the All-2025 fantasy football First and Second Teams, Hockenson was the First Team TE2–behind Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons as the First Team TE1.

Cockcroft wrote the blurb about the Lions’ tight end.

"Injuries — he has missed nine games already through three NFL seasons — and his place in one of the league’s hardest-luck franchises make this a seemingly tough call. Hockenson earns my vote because of his steady catch-rate improvement, top-of-the-position raw ability and my hope the Detroit Lions will begin to figure it out by 2025. A lot of this might come down to their quarterback, but three years is plenty of time to get that straightened out."

If the Lions are going to figure it out under the current regime they will probably have done it by 2025, in what will be the fifth year for head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes. They of course have a question over who their quarterback of the future will be.

But as mentioned Hockenson is a long-term piece of the equation in Detroit, and if anything a young quarterback with more talent and upside will only raise his future fantasy ceiling.