The Minnesota Vikings have thrown their hats into the ring of the teams looking to add weapons, trading two draft picks to the Detroit Lions for tight end T.J. Hockenson.
The trade was reported by NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Detroit shipped the former first-round draft pick Hockenson to Minnesota along with a 2023 fourth-round pick and a 2024 conditional fourth-round pick for Minnesota’s 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 third-round pick.
He made his debut at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan on Wednesday.
Hockenson was a University of Iowa standout, taken eighth overall in the 2019 draft. At first, the tight end played a significant role in Detroit’s offense, though he has been less involved in the last two seasons.
Hockenson has 15 touchdowns and 2,068 yards in 47 career games.
So far this season, the Lions have again failed to get Hockenson involved in their offense, except for an eight-catch, 179-yard, two-touchdown day in Week 4. In seven games this season, he has 395 yards and three touchdowns.
Hockenson is eligible for an extension and is under contract through 2023 after the Lions picked up the fifth-year option in his rookie contract.
The addition of Hockenson comes at a crucial point in the season for the 6-1 Minnesota Vikings, who lost their tight end, Irv Smith, on Sunday due to a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss serious time.
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