Hockenson is undoubtedly
one of Detroit’s brightest, youngest stars.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
2021 could be a huge year for Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson. Though he’s already coming off a Pro Bowl season, many are expecting him to take his game to a new level this upcoming season. With a new offensive system in place, a burgeoning relationship with quarterback Jared Goff, and a shortage of other receiving options around him, Hockenson could be one of the centerpieces of this offensive attack.
NFL.com’s Nick Shook is predicting big things for Hockenson’s future too, as he listed the Lions tight end on his 2021 All-Under-25 Team, featuring only players who will be under 25 years old when the regular season kicks off on September 9.
“For now, he’s the best tight end under 25, and it might not be long before he’s considered one of the premier players at the position, regardless of age,” Shook wrote.
No
other Lions made the list, but one other was considered. Punter Jack Fox,
currently 24 years old, was nearly the selection, but Shook went, instead, with
Patriots punter Jake Bailey, who was first-team All Pro last year.
You can view the entire All-Under-25 team here.
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2021
All-Under-25 Team: Lamar Jackson leads NFL's rising stars
Published: Jun 22, 2021 at 03:24 PM
Nick Shook
Around The NFL Writer
Who are the most promising rising
stars in the NFL? Nick Shook compiled a roster of the top players under 25
years old heading into the 2021 season.
NOTE: To be eligible, players must
be younger than 25 years old on Sept. 9, the day the season kicks off.
OFFENSE
Our options at tight end were fairly thin, so
why not go with a 2020 Pro
Bowler. Hockenson enjoyed a relative breakout in 2020, finishing third in
receiving yards among tight ends behind established stars Travis
Kelce and Darren Waller.
Lions tight ends coach Ben Johnson thinks it's just the beginning for the
2019 draft's eighth overall pick, recently telling reporters "there's
plenty of meat still on the bone" with Hockenson, and adding that "the sky's the
limit for this kid."
What is, in fact, the limit for Hockenson?
We'll leave that to the future, but for now, he's the best tight end under 25, and it might not be
long before he's considered one of the premier players at the position,
regardless of age.