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FantasyPros Articles fantasy football takes on T.J. Hockenson

Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from FantasyPros Articles about T.J. Hockenson.

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Insights
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Insight ledger

All FantasyPros Articles insights about T.J. Hockenson

PositiveProjectionOct 31, 2026
Hockenson is having a resurgent season as the TE9 in fantasy points per game; among 42 qualifying tight ends, he ranks sixth in target share (18.9%), sixth in YPRR (2.14), ninth in red zone targets (six), and ninth in first-read share (19.8%). The source projects him toward another TE1 week against Detroit, his former team, which has allowed the fifth-most yards per target to tight ends, the second-most fantasy points per opportunity, and the most receiving touchdowns to tight ends over their last five games.
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PositiveProjectionOct 29, 2026
Hockenson is having a resurgent season as TE9 in fantasy points per game. Among 42 qualifying tight ends, he ranks sixth in target share (18.9%), sixth in YPRR (2.14), ninth in red zone targets (six), and ninth in first-read share (19.8%). Against his former team Detroit, which has allowed the fifth-most yards per target to tight ends, second-most fantasy points per opportunity, and most receiving touchdowns to tight ends over the last five games, the source projects Hockenson for another TE1 week.
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PositiveProjectionOct 29, 2026
TJ Hockenson is the TE9 in fantasy points per game and is headed toward another TE1 week against Detroit. Among 42 qualifying tight ends, he ranks sixth in target share (18.9%), sixth in YPRR (2.14), ninth in red zone targets (six), and ninth in first-read share (19.8%). Detroit has allowed the fifth-most yards per target to tight ends, the second-most fantasy points per opportunity, and the most receiving touchdowns to tight ends over their last five games.
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PositiveProjectionOct 29, 2026
Hockenson has proven he still has something left in the tank after a down year; among 40 tight ends with at least 75 routes this season, he ranks sixth in target share (18.9%), tied for first in targets per route run (0.28), tied for ninth in first-read rate (19.8%), seventh in air yard share (18.7%), eighth in receptions per game (4.5), 15th in receiving yards per game (39.5), fifth in yards per route run (2.14), tied for 15th in receiving touchdowns (two), 14th in expected touchdown receptions (2.4), ninth in DraftKings points per game (10.95), second in DraftKings points per route run (0.56), 11th in FanDuel points per game (8.20) and tied for second in FanDuel points per route run (0.44). Hockenson has a dreamy matchup against his former club; the Lions have allowed the most DraftKings points per game (29.4) and the most FanDuel points per game (24.7) to tight ends this season.
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PositiveProjectionOct 24, 2026
Hockenson was concussed in Week 5 but expected back in Week 7. In Weeks 1-4, he posted two TE1 weekly finishes (TE9, TE1) with five red zone looks, one touchdown, 22.7% target share, 2.14 YPRR, and 23.5% first-read share; those numbers were partially inflated by Justin Jefferson's absence. The source expects Hockenson could still be a TE1 this week despite Jefferson's return. Indianapolis ranks 15th in receiving fantasy points per game against tight ends and gives up the tenth-most fantasy points per opportunity to the position.
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PositiveValueOct 23, 2026
At just 32% rostered, Hockenson is one of the more intriguing options available heading into Week 7 because of his team context and involvement in Minnesota's passing game. His target share has been encouraging; he has a 20.3% target share this season, seventh-best among tight ends. The source notes that tight ends don't necessarily need a touchdown to deliver a useful fantasy performance, making Hockenson's target involvement the key metric to monitor.
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PositiveProjectionOct 22, 2026
Hockenson was concussed in Week 5 but is expected back for Week 7. In Weeks 1-4 before Jefferson's return, he posted two TE1 weekly finishes (TE9, TE1) with five red zone looks, a touchdown, 22.7% target share, 2.14 YPRR, and 23.5% first-read share. Derek Brown projects Hockenson could still be a TE1 this week despite Jefferson's presence. Indy ranks 15th in receiving fantasy points per game against tight ends while giving up the tenth-most fantasy points per opportunity to the position.
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PositiveInjuryOct 22, 2026
Hockenson was concussed in Week 5 but the source is hoping/expecting him back this week. In Weeks 1-4, he had two TE1 weekly finishes (TE9, TE1) with five red zone looks, a touchdown, 22.7% target share, 2.14 YPRR, and 23.5% first-read share. The source notes some numbers were inflated by Jefferson's absence but Hockenson could still be a TE1 this week. Indy is 15th in receiving fantasy points per game against tight ends while giving up the tenth-most fantasy points per opportunity to the position.
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PositiveValueOct 20, 2026
At 32% rostered, Hockenson is recommended as one of the more intriguing waiver wire options heading into Week 7 due to his team context and strong target involvement. His 20.3% target share ranks seventh-best among tight ends this season, demonstrating reliable receiving usage. The source emphasizes that his demonstrated career reliability and recent usage suggest he could become a regular fantasy starter, offering considerably more upside and experience than most available tight ends. For anyone searching for a potential long-term answer at the position, Hockenson should be one of the first tight ends to consider adding.
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PositiveMatchupOct 20, 2026
Hockenson sustained a concussion in Week 5 but should be ready to go in Week 7 when the Vikings come out of their bye. He has an appealing Week 7 matchup against the Colts, who entered Week 6 having given up the 10th-most fantasy points to tight ends. In Week 8, Hockenson gets an even better matchup against the Lions, who have allowed far and away the most fantasy points to TEs this year. For tight end streamers, Hockenson should adequately cover the position for the next two weeks.
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PositiveProjectionOct 10, 2026
Hockenson is the TE11 in fantasy points per game with a 22.7% target share, 2.14 YPRR, four red zone targets, zero deep targets, and a 23.5% first-read share; his per-route numbers and fantasy production are inflated by his massive Week 4 outing, but he was also the TE9 in weekly scoring in Week 1 with Jefferson and Addison active. Against New Orleans, which has allowed the fifth-most yards per target and the 12th-most fantasy points per opportunity to tight ends, Hockenson could easily be the number two target in the Minnesota passing attack and return TE1 production.
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NegativeBustOct 8, 2026
Ed Birdsall flags T.J. Hockenson as a sell-high candidate despite a dominant Week 4 performance (13 catches against Miami), noting that all of that production came without Justin Jefferson in the lineup. With Jefferson expected to return this week, Hockenson will likely fall back down the pecking order for targets in the Vikings offense. Birdsall recommends using Hockenson to acquire flex assets like Tony Pollard, Josh Downs, or TreVeyon Henderson before his target share declines.
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PositiveProjectionOct 5, 2026
Hockenson emerged as the clear-cut favorite passing target for Kyler Murray in the absence of Justin Jefferson, reeling in all 13 of his targets for 119 yards—eclipsing the century mark for the first time since 2024. If Jefferson continues to miss time, Hockenson could be in store for another epic performance on the road against New Orleans in Week 5. His big performance thrust him back into the top 10 at the position, and he can be treated as a reliable starter with moderate upside.
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PositiveUsageOct 5, 2026
With Justin Jefferson sidelined by an ankle injury, T.J. Hockenson became the focal point of the Minnesota passing game in Week 4 vs. Miami, catching all 13 of his team-high targets for 119 yards. If Jefferson returns this week, Hockenson will have low-level streaming appeal against the Saints, who gave up 25-250-2 to tight ends over the first three weeks. If Jefferson misses another game, Hockenson will be a premier streamer. Hockenson has been playing increased snaps the last two weeks because fellow TE Josh Oliver is on injured reserve with a biceps tear. True Value: $1.
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NegativeUsageOct 5, 2026
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson benefited from Justin Jefferson's ankle injury absence in Week 4, hauling in a career-high 13 receptions for 119 receiving yards and scoring 18.4 fantasy points to become the TE1 for the week. He could have scored even more had he not taken a knee at the 1-yard line at the end of the game. However, this is a one-game sample size, and Jefferson could return as early as this week, which would push Hockenson back to the third option on a Kyler Murray-led offense. While Hockenson demonstrated he still has this type of performance capability, chasing this breakout is risky; better long-term options are likely available on the waiver wire.
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PositiveValueSep 26, 2026
T.J. Hockenson presents an interesting value play at $3,200 on DraftKings; he got off to a hot start in Week 1 but cooled off in Week 2, possibly due to weather. Tampa Bay's defense is being overlooked for its vulnerability to tight ends: Mike Gesicki lit them up for nearly 20 fantasy points in Week 1 before disappearing in Week 2, and Harold Fannin Jr. doubled his production in Week 2 against Tampa Bay. Hockenson could be a sneaky, low-rostered play this week.
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PositiveMatchupSep 22, 2026
Hockenson has not provided much excitement through two weeks but faces a strong rebound spot in Week 3 against Tampa Bay, which is one of the league's friendliest matchups for tight ends, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the position through two weeks (14.6 per game). More importantly, Kyler Murray should return as Minnesota's starting quarterback after missing most of Week 1 and all of Week 2, which should raise the ceiling of the entire Vikings passing game. Hockenson remains a proven receiving option who could quickly become one of Murray's preferred targets. At just 29% rostered, this is a good week to grab him before production catches up to opportunity.
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PositiveProjectionSep 7, 2026
T.J. Hockenson has one of the highest ceilings at the tight end position when healthy and has a realistic chance to push into the top-5 at the position. He finished as TE26 last season with 112.8 PPR points after missing time with a shoulder injury, but his ceiling is far higher than that finish suggests. The Vikings' offense gives him a direct path to heavy usage behind Justin Jefferson, and the quarterback change to Kyler Murray adds another layer to his outlook. If Murray locks onto him as a primary option early, Hockenson has a realistic chance to regain his pre-injury rhythm and reach top-5 production.
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NegativeValueAug 31, 2026
Derek Brown is not targeting T.J. Hockenson in 2026 and considers him an avoid in all formats. Hockenson finished TE25 in fantasy points per game last season with no bounce-back expected. Among 54 qualifying tight ends, he ranked 20th in target share, 26th in receiving yards per game, 44th in yards per route run, 27th in first-read share, and 40th in first downs per route run. Brown cites the Vikings' signing of Jauan Jennings and Kyler Murray at quarterback as headwinds limiting Hockenson's 2026 upside.
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