5 prospects the Vikings should hope don’t land in the NFC North

T.J. Hockenson – TE (Iowa)

Hockenson’s teammate Noah Fant could also be included here as both are going to be matchup nightmares for any linebackers or safeties who are tasked with trying to cover them in the NFL.

Hockenson is a dynamic weapon at catching the football. He is 6-foot-5 and 251 pounds, but he has deceptive speed.

What is really going to endear him to teams and the biggest reason he could get taken ahead of Fant is because of his ability to be an aggressive and relentless blocker. He will be a huge asset in the run game to whatever team that drafts him this year.

But Hockenson’s run blocking isn’t why he is on this list, it’s that pass-catching ability that should worry the Vikings.

Hockenson is extremely quick in and out of his breaks. He is a natural hands catcher who also times the ball well and can go up and get it at it’s highest point.

Hockenson is an above average ball carrier after the catch. He shows great athletic ability leaping over defenders and he shows his strength by lowering his shoulder and using his powerful lower body to grind for extra yardage.

For a team like Minnesota, who have historically struggled against tight ends, having a guy like Hockenson end up in the division wouldn’t be great for them.

If he lands in Green Bay and has Aaron Rodgers throwing to him, that is even more worrisome. Especially once those two get familiar with each other and start anticipating what the other will do and improvise on the fly, they could become a duo that is impossible to stop.