T.J. Hockenson Fantasy Week 1 Start or Sit: Not in Play, Just Track Him

Hockenson is only 29, younger than most managers assume, and he ranks 26th among tight ends in PFN’s Week 1 rankings against Green Bay. His deep target rate fell to 7.6% in 2025 after three seasons north of 17%, and the Packers allowed the fourth-fewest yards per pass thrown short of the sticks. I’m not suggesting Hock is in play in any format.

Should You Start or Sit T.J. Hockenson in Week 1?

This is speculation on my part, but if you ask the common fantasy manager the age of Hockenson, I think the percentage of answers that come in high would be about as high as any player in the league.

He’s 29. He’s younger than Spider-Man. He’s younger than Jaylen Brown.

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Sure, three times as many missed games as touchdown receptions over the past two seasons is sub-optimal, but if we are going to use Kyler Murray as a reason to think this passing game ticks back toward league average, doesn’t the TE1 deserve some love?

He’s no longer being trusted downfield (7.6% deep target rate in 2025 after three straight seasons north of 17%), and while that caps the upside case, I do think there is some PPR scam potential to this profile.

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The Packers allowed the fourth-fewest yards per pass thrown short of the sticks last season, so I’m not suggesting that Hock is in play in any format. What I am doing is asking you to track the situation. The Bears, Bucs, Dolphins, and Saints are next up for the Vikings: if this offense shows signs of life and is happy to have their TE1 running routes, we could be looking at a viable asset sooner than later.