PITTSBURGH STEELERS DRAFT PROFILE

TIGHT END T.J. HOCKENSON

Tight end is not a drastic need on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster with Vance McDonald locked in but it is a position that could be improved by adding T.J. Hockenson.

SCHOOL: Iowa

POSITION: Tight End

AGE: 21

HEIGHT: 6’-5’’

WEIGHT: 230 Ibs

CAREER STATS: 73 Receptions, 1080 Yards, 9 Touchdowns, and 1 Rushing Touchdown

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: All American (2018), John Mackey Award (Nations Top Tight End) (2018)

DRAFT PROJECTION: 1st Round, Pick: 15 – 30

STRENGTHS

T.J. Hockenson is the most complete tight end in this years draft class. While he doesn’t have the same level of athleticism of his teammate, Noah Fant, he is athletic enough to make plays in the passing game. He is an absolute mauler in the run game as far as tight ends go. He can play in line and make blocks that many tight ends aren’t capable of while still making plays in the passing game; he led the Hawkeyes in receiving yards last season. He also has great size at 6-5 that allows him to create mismatches for an offense.

WEAKNESSES

While he is a top athlete Hockenson, doesn’t appear to have incredible straight-line speed. I’d also like to see him refine his blocking form a little bit at times. He is a fantastic blocker for a tight end prospect and displays nastiness and aggressiveness that many at the position lack but I saw him occasionally get too aggressive and put himself in a bad position.

ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL SELECTION

Tight end is not a drastic need on the Steelers roster with Vance McDonald locked in until 2022 but it is a position that could be improved. Jesse James may not be back next season and neither McDonald or James is known for their blocking prowess. Hockenson would provide the all-around impact that the team came to expect from Heath Miller. It would be very hard for Hockenson to live up to the legacy of Miller but he could impact an offense in a similar way, along with being more of a downfield threat than Miller provided late in his career.

GRADE FOR POTENTIAL SELECTION: B

I love Hockenson as a prospect and struggle to find major weaknesses in his game. He would be a great fit in the Steelers offense and has the potential to be a perennial pro bowler. It could be hard, however, for the team to pick an offensive player in the first round with bigger needs on the other side of the ball, especially with McDonald under contract for the near future.

Hockenson could contribute immediately in two tight end sets, which the Steelers do run on occasion. On top of that McDonald is injury prone and the team could be looking for a long term replacement. I would like to see a top linebacker, corner or even edge rusher with the twentieth pick but I like Hockenson as prospect enough to give this selection at least a B grade.