7 Possible Denver Broncos targets in the 2019 NFL Draft

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

The “other” tight end from Iowa, T.J. Hockenson, doesn’t have the same hype that Noah Fant has. Fant is an amazing athlete with elite traits with a limitless ceiling worthy of all the attention. Hockenson, however, possesses fantastic traits in his own right.  For starters, it was Hockenson who received recognition as college football’s best tight end as the recipient of the John Mackey Award.

At 6-5 250-pounds, Hockenson does it all. There aren’t any glaring weaknesses in his game. Whether it’s as an in=-line blocker in a run-first offense or a vertical passing one. The Broncos’ commitment to the running game could use Hockenson. As a run blocker, he displays power and tenacity. He scrapes well and does a solid job hooking ends and linebackers.

As a route runner, Hockenson does a great job off the line of scrimmage. At Iowa, he ran multiple routes effectively — stick routes, crosses, seams and delays were all in his repertoire. On the top of his routes, he shows great snap with his head and hips.

Moreover, he attacks the ball in the air and, when he comes down with it, he’s a terror. Joe Flacco is at his best with a solid option at tight end, something we saw time and again while he was at the helm in Baltimore. Hockenson could be the guy to fill that role for the new Broncos quarterback.