FlurrySports gives a TJ Hockenson fantasy football trade analysis on why you should buy low on the Vikings TE before NFL Week 10.
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TJ Hockenson fantasy owners have enjoyed a solid season from the veteran tight end. However, with him ruled out for Week 10, they may be willing to sell him without thinking of the long-term effects of the recent Kirk Cousins trade. Now could be the best time to buy low on the Minnesota Vikings tight end and reap the benefits in the future.
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Buy Low on TJ Hockenson | Fantasy Football Trade Value Week 10
Hockenson’s Snap Share and a Change at Quarterback Provide Optimism
Right now, TJ Hockenson is sitting at TE9 in half-point PPR leagues. While TE9 looks good, Hockenson has only produced four top-10 tight end weeks, while putting also putting four weeks below TE21. The Vikings offense has also looked like one of the worst in the NFL this season, as they have struggled at the quarterback position, as well as running the football. It is no secret that the Vikings want to win the Super Bowl this year, but in order to do so, they are going to have to get their stars involved on offense.
Hockenson fits into that category of being one of Minnesota’s stars. In order for this offense to reach the potential that it has, he needs to be on the field. Luckily, for Minnesota and fantasy owners, Hockenson has been on the field for 77.8% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps this season. Only Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison have been higher among pass catchers.
The other benefit that Hockenson has is the Vikings trading for Kirk Cousins. While Cousins has not been incredible this season, he is certainly an upgrade over both Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. What is so great about Cousins coming back to Minnesota is how much the quarterback used his tight ends in Las Vegas. Looking at Michael Mayer, he has been used as much as ever in the pass game, seeing four games with six or more targets.
Historically, Hockenson has played well when Cousins has been under center. In 18 games that the two have played together, Hockenson has totaled 154 receptions for 997 yards and six touchdowns. That comes out to about 55 yards on six receptions a game. As I stated before, bringing Cousins in will have a positive effect on the passing game, especially in TJ Hockenson’s case.
TJ Hockenson Faces a Favorable Strength of Schedule
When looking to make a trade in fantasy football, you must consider what the player’s strength of schedule is that you are trading for. If you are looking to trade for a wide receiver, you probably do not want a player who will match up against Derek Stingley and Christian Gonzalez in Weeks 16 and 17. The good news is that for the Minnesota Vikings’ tight ends and, primarily, Hockenson, is that Minnesota has a fairly easy strength of schedule at the position for the rest of the season. Looking ahead, Minnesota has matchups against Carolina, Detroit, Washington and the New York Jets. All of those teams are giving up 11 points or more to opposing tight ends on a per-game basis, meaning that tight ends playing against them have to be considered start-able in your fantasy starting lineup.
The thing that I like most about this upcoming schedule for Hockenson is his end-of-the-year schedule. The Vikings end the fantasy season with Detroit, Washington and the New York Jets. Obviously, that end-of-the-year schedule bodes very well for fantasy playoffs as you are trying to make your final push for a championship. None of those three teams really scare you, and all have vulnerabilities in the middle of the field this season. In order for Minnesota to really open up Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, they are going to have to expose the middle of the field as well, giving yet another boost to Hockenson.
What is the TJ Hockenson Fantasy Trade Value?
If you are in need of a tight end, now might be the only time that you can make a conceivable trade for Hockenson, before Cousins gets comfortable in the offense. The high snap share, new quarterbacks, as well as the favorable strength of schedule, points in the right direction for the Vikings tight end.
According to the FlurrySports Fantasy Football Trade Value Tool, TJ Hockenson has a value of 7.1. That puts him in a tier with players like Dontayvion Wicks (7.3), Ja’Kobi Lane (7.2), Kayshon Boutte (7.0) and Pat Bryant (6.7). Check out his updated trade value on the FlurrySports Playbook!
In looking to make a fantasy football trade for Hockenson, a possible trade could revolve around moving a piece like Jadarian Price (Trade Value of 9.7), if you can afford to give up a running back. This could work if the Hockenson fantasy owner needs a RB. If you are trading price, you need to be looking to add another piece to the trade to even it out. Someone like Kirk Cousins (3.5) or Fernando Mendoza (2.2) would work if you need a quarterback. You may also be more incentivized to trade a player like Garrett Wilson (trade value of 32.6) for Hockenson and Saquon Barkley (26.7) or Stefon Diggs (25.1).
Given the right offer, it is likely that the TJ Hockenson owner in your league is not going to be set on keeping him. So adding a low-ceiling player like Chris Godwin (7.6) could be enough to entice the owner to feel like they are winning the trade, when in reality you are taking a calculated gamble that can pay off big time come the fantasy playoffs.
Making a move for a player like this in fantasy football is a big move, so you need to refer to the FlurrySports Fantasy Football Trade Value tool to best understand what his and what other players’ values are. Play around with the tool and make sure that you are not giving up too much for Hockenson, as right now is the best time to buy him in fantasy football.
