BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~45-50 Overall
CURRENT ADP: ~58
ANALYSIS: Hockenson was fourth amongst tight ends in receptions (67), third in receiving yards (723), and ninth in touchdowns (six) last season. Additionally, per PlayerProfiler.com, he finished fourth in yards after catch (328) below just Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, and Noah Fant. His combination of talent, athleticism, and projected high target share should have fantasy managers very excited for his prospects of a breakout campaign in 2021.
Golladay and Jones are gone, and the Lions brought in Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman as their replacements. Williams hasn’t seen more than 69 targets since 2016 when he saw a career-high 119 targets, and Perriman has never seen more than 69 targets in his entire six-year career. Neither guy is suddenly going to become an alpha WR1 at this point in their career, thus making it likely Hockenson takes over as the number one option in the passing game.
6.5 targets per game in a 17-game season would equate to almost 111 targets. That should be viewed as Hockenson’s floor this season as neither Tyrell Williams nor Breshad Perriman project to steal many targets, thus giving Hockenson an opportunity to be like a Darren Waller-type threat. At 6’5”, 248 lbs., he should also quickly become Jared Goff’s favorite red-zone weapon.
Kelce and Waller sit atop the tight end rankings this season, but a case could absolutely be made for Hockenson to finish right below them. It wouldn’t shock me to see him surpass George Kittle as the overall TE3 in 2021.
More Fantasy Football Values and Sleepers
Kadarius Toney Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – Super Bowl 58 Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Consider in Large-Field GPPs POSITIONAL VALUE: WR/Flex DFS Dart Throw ANALYSIS: Kadarius Toney is perhaps the biggest wild card of the Super Bowl LVIII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The mercurial wide receiver has battled injury issues and controversy off the field, as well as drops and ineffectiveness... Read More
Stefon Diggs Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR1 ANALYSIS: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was the WR10 during the regular season, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar wide receiver started the year on fire but tailed off towards the end. He scored fewer than 6.9 fantasy points in... Read More
Jayden Reed Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed had low expectations entering the season. Many thought the Packers’ passing attack would suffer without Aaron Rodgers. Instead, the rookie wide receiver was a fantasy star. Reed was the WR23 during the regular season, averaging 11.6 half-point... Read More
Chris Godwin Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin had a slightly disappointing year. The former Penn State star was the WR31, averaging 9.9. half-point PPR fantasy points per game during the regular season. Mike Evans had a massive year as Baker Mayfield’s go-to target, leaving... Read More
Brandin Cooks Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end WR2 ANALYSIS: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a solid regular season. The veteran was the WR36, averaging 9.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he struggled early in the year, Cooks picked up his play when it mattered most for the Cowboys.... Read More
Download Our Free Draft App
Like what you see? Be sure to also download our free fantasy football mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more draft sleepers at very position, 24x7 player news, push notifications, injury alerts and daily articles.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!