3. TJ Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings
This year has been extremely bizarre with the teams in the NFC North. The Vikings have now made three trades within their own division, and no one can really make heads or tails of it.
During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Vikings traded down in the first round with the Detroit Lions so Detroit could select former Alabama star receiver Jameson Williams. On day two of the 2022 Draft, the Vikings traded with the Packers so they could select Christian Watson.
Now, the Vikings have swung a deal to acquire Detroit Lions tight end TJ Hockenson, a legitimate top-10 tight end in the NFL right now who is only 25. Hockenson was acquired by the Vikings for the price of 2nd and 3rd-round picks.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is obviously not afraid to ask his own division rival GMs the price on players and/or picks, and they’re obviously not afraid to make deals. The Lions sending Hockenson to a division rival is a very odd move, though, especially considering the 2022 season is not the final year on his contract.
Trade terms, source tells ESPN:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2022
🏈Vikings get TE T.J. Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick.
🏈Lions get 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick.
The Vikings only moved down a round in 2023 and 2024 to get this deal done beyond the second-round pick, a pretty great value for someone who has proven to be as big of a threat in the passing game as TJ Hockenson. Hockenson is under contract in 2023 and as of right now, the franchise tag for tight ends is rather palatable as well.
Hockenson is averaging over 15 yards per reception so far this season.