T.J. Hockenson spent the first half of the 2024 season recovering from a torn ACL and MCL that he injured late in the 2023 season. Hockenson has been great when able to stay healthy. This year he gets a new quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. How does this affect him, and what is T.J. Hockenson’s fantasy football outlook in 2025?
Fantasy Football Outlook for T.J. Hockenson
Recent Production
Hockenson only got into ten games last season and had mixed results. He had three top ten weekly finishes, but four finishes outside of the top 25. It was a slow return from injury for Hockenson. Hockenson has played in three full seasons in the NFL. His fantasy finishes in PPR formats in those years: TE5 in 2020, TE2 in 2022, and TE4 in 2023. When healthy, Hockenson has been one of the best tight ends in the NFL and in fantasy football on both the Lions and the Vikings.
2025 Outlook
Justin Jefferson is the superstar wide receiver in this offense, but there is limited depth behind him. Jordan Addison is suspended for the first three games of the season. Jalen Nailor has been ok in his chances, but behind them, there is not much production from the wide receivers. Hockenson is the clear top tight end on the team and can easily be the second top target behind Jefferson.
The Vikings moved on from Sam Darnold in the offseason and will go with J.J. McCarthy as the starter. McCarthy was drafted before the 2024 season, but missed the entire season with an injury sustained in preseason. This will be McCarthy’s rookie season, meaning we still don’t know what to expect from McCarthy.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell is one of the best offensive minds in the game, as proved last year when he was able to have a successful season with Darnold as quarterback. McCarthy should be just fine with O’Connell’s leadership. McCarthy will run this offense through Jefferson and Hockenson, leading to a high target share for both.
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Hockenson ADP
According to FantasyPros, Hockenson is being drafted as the TE5 in PPR fantasy drafts. He is being drafted behind Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, George Kittle, and Sam LaPorta. Hockenson and Travis Kelce are being drafted right next to each other. Hockenson is being drafted as the 61st overall player. This corresponds to the early seventh round in ten-team leagues and the early sixth round in twelve-team leagues. If Hockenson can stay fully healthy, he is being drafted at his floor as he has proven that he is a top-five tight end in fantasy football.
Should You Draft or Pass on T.J. Hockenson in Fantasy Football 2025?
Hockenson is a solid tight end in fantasy drafts. He might be one of the last safe tight ends to draft before there are a lot of guys with question marks behind him. Hockenson will be a focal point in the Vikings’ offense with the rookie quarterback, leading to a high target share and a successful season.
Main Image: Matt Krohn – Imagn Images
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