For the modern-day tight end, it has almost become more important to be a great pass catcher than a blocker. Some players, like Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, have the whole package.
Hockenson has been great this season when it comes to being a receiving tight end, recording nine receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown. Pro Football Focus has graded him as the second-best tight end in the NFL out of 28, with an overall grade of 77.3. His receiving grade is 72.7, which is good for fifth.
Everyone knows the kind of impact he can make in the passing game, especially with a first-time starting quarterback in J.J. McCarthy and first-year Viking, Carson Wentz, playing the position. Tight ends can be seen as security blankets, but there's another aspect to his game that is just as good, if not better.
Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson has been elite as a blocker this season
During the Vikings' media availability on Tuesday, Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was asked about his thoughts on Hockenson as a blocker. Phillips could not stop gushing over the tight end for his selfishness as a teammate.
"T.J.'s been phenomenal in the run game. It's one of those things where you're trying to get your best players the football, and it was nice to see him get some catches in that game.
You kind of talk to guys like 'This will be a good play for you. We're working on this.' His attitude about the whole thing is, 'Hey, I just want to win and I'll do anything it takes for us to win football games.' That's the kind of player he is."
This was evident with Hockenson's impact in the running game in last week's 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, as Phillips praised Hockenson for what he does on outside zone runs. The Vikings' offensive coordinator pointed out Hockenson's ability to go block cornerbacks and stick on them to break out big runs.
Minnesota had success on the ground against Cincinnati as they rushed 31 times for 169 yards and two touchdowns. The team averaged 5.5 yards per carry, with a lot of those runs coming on the outside off the edge of the tackle.
It's rare in today's game to find a tight end that can do it all, and after all the offseason chatter and his invisible act through the first two games with Hockenson, he's more than proven his worth on the team. He could start getting back to a Pro Bowl-caliber season that Vikings fans expected from him.