Tight end | Iowa | Redshirt junior

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 251 pounds

College Stats

2018: Started all 13 games; led the Hawkeyes in receiving with 760 yards and ranked second with 49 catches and six touchdown receptions; also rushed once for a 4-yard touchdown; recipient of the 2018 John Mackey Award as the top tight end in FBS; named Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year in the Big Ten; named First-Team All-American by USA Today and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and First-Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press

Career: Started 25 of 26 games played for Iowa over two seasons; recorded 73 catches for 1,080 yards and nine touchdowns; also rushed once for a 4-yard touchdown in 2018; ranks 38th in career receiving yards, despite playing just two seasons

Profile

Summary: Hockenson played football at Chariton High School (Iowa), where he was a three-time First-Team All-State selection before redshirting at the University of Iowa during the 2016 season.

He stepped into an impact role in 2017, starting 12 of 13 games and averaging 13.3 yards per catch. Hockenson excelled again in 2018 while sharing snaps with fellow standout tight end Noah Fant, and his 760 receiving yards led the Hawkeyes.

NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein detailed Hockenson's strengths, praising his competitiveness and athleticism. He wrote that the tight end is "fluid and fast in intermediate and deep work" and "accelerates out of cuts and turns to separate." He also highlighted Hockenson's ability as a blocker, which increases his value.

"In a draft that feels light on high-end talent, Hockenson is an ascending talent with a chance to become one of the best all-around tight ends in the game," Zierleini said. "Hockenson has standout talent and fits any scheme, but he could be coveted early by teams looking to delve more heavily in 12-personnel (two TE packages)."

Click **here** to read Hockenson's full profile on NFL.com.

Stacking up: NFL Media analyst **Bucky Brooks** and The Athletic's **Dane Brugler** each listed Hockenson as this year's top tight end, followed by Fant. Daniel Jeremiah also thinks highly of Hockenson, currently placing him fifth overall in his **Top 50 prospects** for the 2019 NFL Draft, which is up nine spots from Hockenson's initial spot at No. 5.

"Hockenson is a fun player to watch. … He tracks the ball naturally, and his high-point skills are on display in the red zone," Jeremiah wrote. "He is very physical after the catch and possesses adequate speed. Hockenson is at his best in the run game. He rag-dolls defensive ends and linebackers.

"Overall, Hockenson is one of the best blocking tight ends I've ever evaluated, and he is dependable in the passing game," Jeremiah added. "He's a Day 1 impact player at the next level.

A well-rounded player: Hockenson was asked by a media member at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine which he enjoys more: making a highlight-reel catch or delivering an impressive block.

"I mean, they're both pretty fun," Hockenson said. "I mean, honestly, I love to block. I love to run routes. I just really pride myself on doing both. That I can do everything that the job requires as a tight end. That's what I try to do."