2019 NFL Scouting Report: Scouting Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson

One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the first-round of the 2019 NFL Draft is former Iowa tight end, T.J. Hockenson. He is a 6’5”. 251lb tight end who is widely considered the top tight end in the entire draft class. Hockenson is ranked as the second-best tight end in the 2019 NFL Draft according to The Draft Network, and ranked as the 8th overall prospect in the entire 2019 NFL Draft.

Hockenson played two seasons at Iowa and quickly turned into one of the top tight ends in the entire nation during that span. He totaled 73 receptions for 1,080 yards and 9 touchdown receptions. This past year, Hockenson totaled 49 receptions for 760 yards, and 6 touchdown receptions. He did all of this while fellow top prospect, teammate, and tight end Noah Fant was producing at a high level as well.

T.J. Hockenson’s 2018 accolades while at Iowa via hawkeyesports.com.

• Recipient of 2018 John Mackey Award as top tight end in the nation
• Recipient of Ozzie Newsome Award from Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio
• Named Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year in the Big Ten
• First-team All-America by American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)
• Walter Camp second-team All-America
• Second-team All-America by Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)
• Second-team All-America by The Associated Press and Phil Steele
• Academic All-Big Ten for second year
• First-team All-Big Ten by league media and second team by coaches
• First-team All-Big Ten by Associated Press and Phil Steele
• Roy Carver Most Valuable Player, offense
• Coaches Appreciation Award, offense
• John Mackey Award Co-Player of the Week (with Iowa teammate Noah Fant) in win at Indiana
• John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List

T.J. Hockenson

Tight End, Red Shirt-Junior, Iowa

Height: 6’5” Weight: 251lbs 40-time: 4.7 seconds

Arm Length: 32 1/4” Hands: 9 1/2”

Bench Press: 17 reps Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches Broad Jump: 123.0 inches

3-Cone Drill: 7.02 seconds 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.18 seconds 60-Yard Shuttle: 11.55 seconds

Film Room:

Scouting Report:

Strengths:

• Most well-rounded tight end in this draft
• Athletic. balanced, and powerful
• Smooth route runner
• Good speed and quick feet to help him get some separation as well as get some YAC
• Hard to bring down and has the athletic ability to hurdle defenders
• Best trait might be his elite run blocking
• Soft hands and a reliable target
• Big body target that uses his body to shield off defenders
• Can play inside or outside
• Competitive and a good team player
• An excellent fit for what the Broncos want to do
• Will be a more productive in the NFL than in college

Weaknesses:

• Only two seasons of college production and kinda of a “one year wonder” but I’m personally not overly concerned about it.
• A little shorter arms and hands than you would expect for a tight end of size
• Probably will need to bulk up a little more to continue being a high-end blocker in the NFL

MockDraftable Spider graph:

Quotable:

“Other than the fact that he isn’t an e-l-i-t-e athlete, Hockenson basically has everything else you want at the tight end position. He may not be Noah Fant/Evan Engram territory as a pure athlete, but he’s the next best thing. Hockenson can stretch the field against anyone, beat defensive backs in man coverage, embarrass defenders after the catch and smash defensive ends into the opposite C-gap with his leg drive and tenacity.

Some football players are just easy to figure out. That’s Hockenson. He’s pro-ready, dynamic and an extreme competitor. He’ll be a top ten overall player on my board and should be a lock to go Round 1, even at a position that is not typically highly valued.”

- Jon Ledyard, The Draft Network

Does T.J. Hockenson make sense for the Denver Broncos in the first-round of the 2019 NFL Draft?:

Absolutely.

The Broncos have lacked a talented tight end that hasn’t benefited from Peyton Manning in what seems like forever. Hockenson would change all that and would add a dynamic and much-need weapon to make newly hired Rich Scangarello’s offense scheme click.

Hockenson is your classic in-line tight end who can dominate in run-blocking in 11 personnel as well as be a valuable receiving threat for the Broncos offense. Rich Scangarello’s offense is very likely going to call for both of these things and the tight end is often a key contributor in the passing game in these schemes. Hockenson can fill both of those roles.

I think 10th overall is probably a tad early for a tight end, but Hockenson should be in the conversation and probably goes in the top 15 regardless. Tight end usually isn’t a position you spend a high pick on but, the importance of the tight end has grown and Hockenson is an high-end prospect who can be a difference maker for the Broncos for the next decade.

In the end, Hock would be a perfect fit for the Broncos. Would fill multiple needs and weaknesses on the roster. He would give starting quarterback Joe Flacco a security blanket and he has good history with tight ends as well. It might be earlier than some want, but Hock is the type of player the Broncos need on their roster and he’s one of the best tight end prospects to come out in quite awhile.