Detroit Lions: T.J. Hockenson stands out as year two breakout candidate

Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson primed to break out in year two.

The mere fact that the Detroit Lions, a franchise that has been burned by first-round tight ends previously, used the No. 8 overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft to select Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson speaks to the level that they believe in the player. And when you consider his athletic ability and prowess as a receiver, it’s not hard to imagine why that’s the case.

Hockenson made good on that potential immediately in his rookie season. In his first career game, a Week 1 tie against the Cardinals, the tight end notched six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. At that moment, he seemed like he might be an immediate star. That, however, was not meant to be for the rookie.

Over his next six games combined, Hockenson failed to match his opening 131 yards. Furthermore, he was shut down after Week 13 due to an ankle injury. On the whole, he finished the season with 32 catches for 367 yards and two touchdowns. That’s a far cry from what many thought was coming after that Week 1 performance.

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After his rookie season was shortened to just 12 games, Hockenson has been focused on rehabbing from the ankle injury. And according to Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, the tight end is getting close to 100 percent. That could mean big things for the tight end in his second NFL season.

Hockenson can open up the Detroit Lions offense.

The return of Matthew Stafford as the starting quarterback alone will give the Detroit Lions a big boost offensively. But with Hockenson back for year two and now healthy, the cast of weapons is one of the best top-to-bottom groups we’ve seen in Detroit.

Kenny Golladay is one of the unsung stars of the NFL right now at wide receiver while Marvin Jones Jr. is a solid addition to any receiving corps. Meanwhile, the Lions added running back D’Andre Swift in the second round of the 2020 draft, which should give them a rushing attack to finally rely on when he’s paired with Kerryon Johnson.

For some, that might seem like there are too many mouths to feed for Hockenson to be labeled a breakout candidate. That doesn’t play for me, though. Instead, I believe that opens up the field for Hockenson to do some serious damage.

With cornerbacks concerned with the Lions wide receiver group on the outside and linebackers and safeties being forced to at least respect the run game now, that can give the big-bodied Hockenson room to get free in the middle of the field and to take the top off the defense as well. Those are things he proved capable of in his Week 1 outing as a rookie and there should be more opportunities now.

Stafford staying healthy, which has not been a given, is obviously key for Hockenson finding success moving forward. But if the quarterback can stay on the field, the additions and growth of the Lions offense should open the door for the second-year tight end to get back to health and emerge as a high-end pass-catching tight end in the NFL.