Vikings' New Star Tight End to Make Debut in Week 9

The Minnesota Vikings made one of the biggest splashes of the trade deadline when they acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions, and they won't wait long to maximize their investment. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Vikings intend to make the fourth-year player a key part of their gameplan against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

New #Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson worked extra hours to get up to speed on the game plan, and he's going to be a key part of the offense Sunday vs. Washington, I'm told. Team plans to get him in there as much as it can, given the time constraints of the week.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 6, 2022

The Vikings traded a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick in exchange for Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick, and a conditional 2024 pick. It was one of the most aggressive moves of the trade deadline and a rare high-risk transaction between division rivals.

Hockenson should prove an ideal complement to one of the league's deadliest receiving corps, headlined by wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Hockenson was averaging a career-best 56.4 yards per game and 9.2 yards per target before the move. If his solid season continues, he could lift the Vikings' ninth-ranked scoring offense into the top five by the end of the year.

Hockenson entered the league as the Lions' eighth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite earning a Pro Bowl in 2020, he'd been largely disappointing for such a premium draft pick before this year, averaging 41.8 yards per game across his first three seasons at a mediocre 6.9 yards per target. His arrival on the Vikings could be a flashpoint moment for the NFC North, and one the Lions deeply regret if his progress continues.