NFL: Building the best 2021 roster from NFC North teams

Ultimate 2021 NFC North Tight Ends: T.J. Hockenson (DET), Robert Tonyan (GB)

Heading into last season, the top tight end position in the NFC North was wide open. The most likely person to take the role was T.J. Hockenson, and it’s more than fair to say that he took over that spot.

During Hockenson’s rookie year, he was solid but it was nothing to write home about. But that’s more than fair because of how long it takes tight ends to adjust to the NFL. However, Hockenson took a major jump in his second year and showed off his receiving prowess as he finished with the third-most yards of any tight end in the NFL.

While the Lions tight end emerged, he received some competition as the best in the NFC North from an unlikely player: Green Bay’s Robert Tonyan.

Prior to this past season, it’s fair to say that Tonyan was a bit of an unknown player. In Tonyan’s first two years in the NFL, he combined for a total of 14 catches. But in his third season, he exploded onto the scene and was a favorite of Aaron Rodgers and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

While Tonyan isn’t quite as good as Hockenson, the skill gap between the two players is not that big at all as both players are quality receiving options.