TJ Hockenson Is The Sleeper TE For Fantasy Football
Ian Hartitz has tabbed T.J. Hockenson as one of the tight ends to watch for fantasy football 2026.
Be ready to hear the name T.J. Hockenson a lot this summer when it comes to discussions among the fantasy football community and those who like to wait at the TE position. A combination of circumstances make him a TE who could be a big bargain this upcoming draft season. Ian Hartitz breaks it down as part of his Minnesota Vikings Team Preview.
Join Our Newsletter
Trusted by 400,000+ fantasy football players. Get access to Fantasy Life's free award winning newsletter and tools, all in one step.
By registering or logging in, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Is TJ Hockenson THE late-round tight end of 2026?
- TE1: TJ Hockenson (TE22 in Fantasy Life ranks)
- TE2: Josh Oliver
Hockenson was widely speculated to be a cap casualty this offseason, but instead he'll be wearing purple and gold for at least one more year after the team restructured his contract.
On the one hand, Hockenson is essentially coming off career-worst counting and efficiency numbers inside a Vikings offense that will presumably continue to primarily flow through Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. He gained more than 50 yards just twice and finished as fantasy's TE27 in 2025.
On the other hand, the veteran TE is an extra year removed from 2023's devastating knee injury—a season in which he finished as fantasy's TE2 in PPR points per game despite catching passes from Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens and Joshua Dobbs. This came in a season in which Jefferson and Addison combined for 208 targets, albeit the former receiver did miss seven games due to injury.
So we're looking at a TE who has finished the last three seasons as fantasy's TE2 … TE18 … and TE27 … and he's now being priced as the TE23 in early drafts! Last year, Hockenson ended August as the consensus TE5 in ADP. Talk about someone being priced closer to their floor than ceiling ahead of a season in which all parties involved *should* see some level of improvement in the QB play department with the addition of Kyler Murray, who, you know, helped Trey McBride work as fantasy's TE2 all the way back in … 2024.
Premium
Go FantasyLife+
Your league is unique. Your advice should be too. Get personalized tools, rankings, and projections tailored to your fantasy football league settings.
