The Minnesota Vikings‘ offense has been reasonably good this season, particularly in light of the fact that notoriously fickle backup, Carson Wentz, has filled in at quarterback for the majority of the season so far.
Yet, the team lie at 3-3 after six games in the uber-competitive NFC North, arguably in the process of demoting the better of their two QBs to the second-string if – as expected – JJ McCarthy takes the reins back in week 9 and beyond.
So Vinne Iyer of The Sporting News, in detailing what he believes are the top deals teams should look to make ahead of the trade deadline on November 4, writes – somewhat surprisingly – that the Vikings should deal two-time Pro Bowl tight end, TJ Hockenson, to the Los Angeles Rams.
Vikings Encouraged To Move Off Top Receiving Target
Iyer argues that Hockenson’s so-so production in Minnesota is not doing them a ton of favors at present, and that on a different team, the former Detroit Lion could prove to be a very valuable commodity in the passing game.
“Let’s start by saying the Vikings, at .500, are unlikely to make a deal either way with little glaring need and limited pending free agent assets.” Iyer wrote. “But this would be interesting, given Hockenson keeps not producing as a key target for Kevin O’Connell but could turn out to be the missing third option in the adjacent Rams offense.”
Hockenson has not had a terrible year so far, generating 196 yards and 1 touchdown in six games, good for third-best pass-catcher by receiving yards in 2025. But his metrics are down from his elite 2023 season, and even from his injury-hit 2024 year, putting up fewer yards per game and yards per reception.
What Would Minnesota Need To Move Off Hockenson?
Hockenson has long been one of the better tight ends in football, almost always staying in that #5-#10 range, but his production has never managed to match the 8th overall pick Detroit spent on him back in 2019.
He still clearly has juice left in him, and perhaps in a different offensive system, he can be more than simply a good accompanying tight end.
The Rams are not the clear and obvious destination for the Vikings, given the continued presence of Tyler Higbee and rookie second round pick, Terrance Ferguson.
And head coach, Sean McVay is hardly an enthusiastic multiple tight end-set utilizer, having been forced into using it in abundance last weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But the team could still use a reliable option beyond Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and Hockenson is certainly a better receiver than any other wideout on their roster.
Price wise, it is not totally clear what Hockenson would command. The Vikings gave up a second rounder to acquire him back in 2022, but now on a veteran contract and a few years more senior, he will not garner draft compensation in that amount.
At the same time, it would not be totally surprising to see someone make an aggressive-ish offer for his services, so something in the fourth round pick area would feel to be about the most likely compensation if he is moved prior to the deadline.
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