T.J. Hockenson Selected as Vikings 2024 Ed Block Courage Award

 

Jan 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

 

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings on Friday announced the selection of T.J. Hockenson as the team's 2024 Ed Block Courage Award recipient.

 

Hockenson was recognized for overcoming a torn ACL he suffered on Dec. 24, 2023, and returning to action in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 3, 2024.

 

His season debut included three receptions for 27 yards on four targets, highlighted by a 19-yard reception. It was followed with eight catches for 72 yards on nine targets at Jacksonville.

 

Hockenson totaled 41 receptions for 455 yards in 10 games (nine starts) in 2024, bringing his career totals to 382 receptions for 4,002 yards and 23 touchdowns and being named as a fourth alternate for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games.

 

He has played 35 games for Minnesota and recorded 196 catches for 1,934 yards and eight touchdowns since becoming a Viking.

 

The Ed Block Courage Foundation annually honors one player from every NFL team who exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Recipients are selected by their teammates to be honored for their courage, inspiration and ability to overcome adversity on and off the field, while also serving their respective community throughout the season. The Ed Block Courage Award is named in honor of Ed Block, the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts.

Andy Kenutis/Minnesota Vikings

 

For more information on the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, visit edblock.org.

 

Vikings Ed Block Courage Award Honorees

1984 Steve Riley

1985 Keith Nord

1986 Walker Lee Ashley

1987 Scott Studwell

1988 Leo Lewis

1989 Jim Gustafson

1990 Gary Zimmerman

1991 Terry Allen

1992 Darrin Nelson

1993 Henry Thomas

1994 Cris Carter

1995 John Randle

1996 Scottie Graham

1997 Robert Smith

1998 Randall Cunningham

1999 Robert Griffith

2000 Gary Anderson

2001 Daunte Culpepper

2002 Lewis Kelly

2003 Eric Kelly

2004 Corey Chavous

2005 Koren Robinson

2006 Matt Birk

2007 Chad Greenway

2008 Kenechi Udeze

2009 E.J. Henderson

2010 Cedric Griffin

2011 Anthony Herrera

2012 Adrian Peterson

2013 Kevin Williams

2014 Greg Jennings

2015 Phil Loadholt

2016 Teddy Bridgewater

2017 Kyle Rudolph

2018 Everson Griffen

2019 Linval Joseph

2020 Cam Smith

2021 Anthony Barr

2022 Blake Proehl

2023 Brian O'Neill

2024 T.J. Hockenson

The 5 best NFL first-round picks in Iowa Hawkeye history since 2000

 

These Hawkeyes made a name for themselves in Iowa City before becoming icons at the next level.

By Jacob Harrison | Apr 15, 2024

New Orleans Saints v Minnesota Vikings / Stephen Maturen/GettyImages

 

The Iowa Hawkeyes have produced some incredible talents for the NFL over the years. Many of those players went overlooked and were drafted a bit later than maybe they should have been.

 

But that doesn't mean the Hawkeyes only produce hidden gems. Iowa has seen 26 players selected in the first round all-time. They'll look to add one more at the 2024 NFL Draft as Cooper DeJean projects to be selected on Day One.

Many of those 26 players have gone on to have fantastic careers, but a surge of great talents this side of the millennia has been particularly special. Half of those first-round picks have come since 2000 and nearly all of them have produced as advertised. A select few have been even better.

In ranking the five best Iowa first-rounders, we'll look at the contributions of the former Hawkeyes both as an individual and in helping bring team success.

No. 5 Chad Greenway

Linebacker Chad Greenway was the 17th-overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He spent his entire career in Minnesota and, from a national perspective, was a woefully underappreciated player throughout his nine-year career.

This is largely because the Vikings weren't very good for most of his career. The two Brett Favre years in Minnesota allowed for some team success, especially in 2009 when the Vikings reached the NFC Championship.

However, in six of his seasons in Minnesota, the Vikings posted a .500 record or worse.

This hampered his ability to garner much national recognition as he scored two Pro Bowls in his career. A lot of media attention instead went to the Vikings' impressive defensive line, led by Jared Allen.

For his career, Greenway posted 1,103 total tackles, 62 for a loss with 18 sacks. He also forced eight fumbles and recovered 11 of his own. Greenway also scored on two of his 11 career interceptions.

Off the field, Greenway was the recipient of the 2014 NFLPA Alan Page Community Award given annually to a player who goes above and beyond to perform community service in his hometown and team city.

No. 4 TJ Hockenson

When fans think of why Iowa is called TE-U, it's often because of George Kittle, but truthfully it has a lot to do with TJ Hockenson. Hockenson was selected No. 8 overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2019 NFL Draft. A few picks later at No. 20 TE Noah Fant was also selected out of Iowa.

Hockenson has lived up to the billing of a top-10 selection in the draft in his first five seasons. He's easily regarded as one of the top five players at his position in the league.

Still, team success has eluded Hockenson since joining the NFL. The Lions were terrible throughout his run in Detroit and he was shockingly traded to the division rival Minnesota Vikings during the 2022 season. Detroit has since surged into one of the best teams in the NFC while Minnesota has fallen from grace after a strong season in 2022 was thwarted in the Wild Card round.

Hockenson will move forward as one of the highest-paid tight ends in the league. Still, there's a giant question mark as to who will be throwing him the ball in 2024 and beyond. Nonetheless, despite the Vikings' disastrous season in 2023, Hockenson posted career highs in receptions with 95 and yards with 960.

For his career, Hockenson has caught 341 passes for 3,547 yards and 23 touchdowns. That has earned him two Pro Bowls early in his career, and he should earn a few more with time.

No. 3 Brandon Scherff

Brandon Scherff has long been one of the best guards in football since going No. 5 overall to the Washington Commanders in the 2015 NFL Draft. During the lead-up to that year's draft, there was talk that Scherff could be the No. 1 overall pick as a tackle.

But landing at guard may have been the best for him as he's carved out a strong career for himself.

Through nine seasons, Scherff has been named to five Pro Bowls, the most of any player on this list. He was also named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. Before the offensive guard market was turned on its head in the 2024 offseason, Scherff was one of the highest-paid players at his position.

Unfortunately, team success has not followed Scherff in the NFL. In five of his seven seasons with Washington, his teams finished with a losing record, and only made the playoffs in his rookie season. In two years with Jacksonville, he's since won his first playoff game, but the team took a step back in 2023 leaving a bold question mark moving forward.

Still, Scherff's contributions in both years in Jacksonville have shown that even at 33 years old, he's still got plenty in the tank. If he continues to play at a high level for a handful of years longer, he could find himself as a fringe Hall of Fame candidate based on his play alone.

No. 2 Tristian Wirfs

Tristian Wirfs instantly became one of the NFL's best right tackles once he was selected 13th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 NFL Draft.

With the Bucs signing plenty of weapons for Tom Brady, Wirfs was brought in to help keep the legend upright and he performed even better than what could reasonably be expected. Tampa Bay won Super Bowl LV with the rookie Wirfs leading the charge in the running game and pass protection.

In 2021, Pro Football Reference indicates by its Approximate Value score that Wirfs was the best player on the team for the Buccaneers. He was gifted the first of his three Pro Bowls to date and his first All-Pro selection as a result.

Wirfs hasn't even signed his second contract yet, but when he does it will most likely be the most expensive right tackle contract in the NFL. With such a strong start to his career, the best may be yet to come for this Hawkeye.

No. 1 Dallas Clark

As if there could be another selection. Dallas Clark was drafted 24th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2003 and quickly became one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets in an offense that was already stacked with weapons.

Clark played in the NFL Playoffs in each of his first eight seasons. Manning's neck injury in 2011 led to Clark's final season in Indy to be largely forgettable and his one-season stints in Tampa Bay and Baltimore weren't enough to get those teams into the postseason.

Still, Clark is likely a Hall of Famer one day. Despite just one Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection to his name, Clark was a star for the Colts' prolific offense that reached two Super Bowls, including the win over Chicago in Super Bowl XLI.

For his career, Clark caught 505 passes for 5,665 yards and 53 touchdowns.

While it took a decade and a half after his selection for Iowa to earn the distinction of TE-U, it all got started with Clark in 2003. His impressive career makes him easily the best first-round pick since 2000 for Iowa. All-time, likely only Alex Karras had a better career as a first-round Hawkeye in the NFL.

 

T.J. Hockenson Will End 42-Year Vikings Drought

 

Dustin Baker

Dec 20, 2023

Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) celebrates his touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

 

Barring injury, Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson will make first-time-in-42-years franchise history in the next three weeks.

And it might even happen on Christmas Eve.

T.J. Hockenson Will End 42-Year Vikings Drought

The richest tight end in league history needs just 98 receiving yards to hit the 1,000 mark, and that’s only happened one time in Vikings history with a tight end — Joe Senser in 1981.

Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) is tackled against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Others have gotten valiantly close, but Senser stands alone, at least for the next few days. Here’s the TE lay of the land in Vikings history per yards in a single season:

1. Joe Senser (1981) — 1,004 yards
2. T.J. Hockenson (2023) — 902 yards
3. Steve Jordan (1986) — 859 yards
4. Kyle Rudolph (2016) — 840 yards
5. Steve Jordan (1985) — 795 yards

 

In 2022, Hockenson’s first [half] season in Minnesota, he produced 60 receptions for 519 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 10 games — not a bad opening salvo. Moreover, spread throughout an entire regular season and per-target basis, Hockenson could’ve — and will in 2023 — tabulated a 100+ catch, 1000+ yard season in Minnesota.

The offseason forecast suggesting Hockenson would have a sizable second act in Minnesota was correct. In fact, when Justin Jefferson was lost for seven games in October, one could argue Hockenson was a season saver.

The Vikings received Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick (Jay Ward), and a 2024 fourth-round pick while giving up a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-rounder in November 2022 in a deal with the rival Detroit Lions.

Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) catches a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

 

Too, the 27-year-old took a little heat at the beginning of the season. Hockenson fired up a couple of drops and failed to haul in every contested catch. Correspondingly and predictably, a small sect of Vikings fans screamed that Hockenson’s contract wasn’t worth it. The theory claimed Hockenson, at his lofty pricetag, should catch absolutely every ball in his vicinity.

Fast forward to Week 16, and those naysayers quieted, and the heat-of-the-moment panic was stupid. Hockenson is one of the NFL’s most productive tight ends in 2023, neck and neck with Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) and Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions). The Iowa alumnus is worth every penny and will be attached to the Vikings’ roster for the next four seasons.

Feb 4, 2023; Paradise, NV, USA; NFC tight end T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings (87) during practice at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Meanwhile, Hockenson will chase Vikings history versus his old team. Minnesota plays Detroit twice in the next three weeks, with the Green Bay Packers in between, and if the Vikings win two of the contests, they’ll trot into the postseason.

So, write it down. Hockenson needs 98 yards to achieve a feat not accomplished in franchise history since 1981.

T.J. Hockenson breaks Vikings single-season TE reception record

 

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 12: T.J. Hockenson #87 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

 

Saivion Mixson 

December 10, 2023 9:51 pm CT

With his 84th reception of the season, Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson officially breaks the record for most receptions by a tight end in a single season. The record was formerly held by long-time tight end Kyle Rudolph in 2016.

https://twitter.com/VikingsPR/status/1733998570804854975?s=20

Before this season started, the plan was for T.J. Hockenson to be the beneficiary of favorable looks due to the attention that Justin Jefferson attracted. With Jefferson out for seven weeks, someone had to step up and be the primary pass-catcher in the offense. Hockenson was that person.

Whether it was Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs, Jaren Hall or Nick Mullens, Hockenson was always available for an easy pitch-and-catch opportunity.

His combination of elite size mixed with surprising quickness and agility makes him a nightmare to cover in space and contested catch situations.

This off-season, Minnesota made Hockenson the highest-paid tight end in the league. It is safe to say that he has lived up to his contract.

TJ Hockenson sets single-season record for a Vikings tight end

 

https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1733999094941745347?s=20

 

T.J. Hockenson set an NFL record in the first half vs. Saints

 

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 12: T.J. Hockenson #87 of the Minnesota Vikings scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

 

Chris Spooner 

November 13, 2023 10:23 am CT

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has been an integral piece of the Vikings offense all season, and that was no different on Sunday against the Saints. In fact, he was even more a piece of the offense on Sunday than usual.

Hockenson became the first tight end in NFL history to have 10 or more receptions, 125 or more yards, and a touchdown in a single half with his first-half against the Saints.

https://x.com/VikingsPR/status/1723797244753703368?s=20

It’s fair to say that Hockenson was everywhere on Sunday, and that he and new quarterback Josh Dobbs were able to build a significant rapport with each other over the week. Unfortunately, the success they had in the first half was not able to carry over to the second.

Despite the record-setting first half for Hockenson, he was held to only one reception for six yards in the second half. Still, both he and Dobbs would tell you that getting the win is more important than individual stats.

We’ll see what the record-setting tight end has in store for us next week when the Vikings face off against the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.

TJ Hockenson 1st in YAC per game among TES, 2023

 

https://x.com/locktominny/status/1717586007607189797?s=42&t=tko7UhQEepLbYIfIbXuyow

Vikings vs. 49ers Week 7 Rehash

Oct 24, 2023 at 06:30 PM

 

Craig Peters

Senior Editor

 

 

   

The Vikings prevailed 22-17 against the 49ers Monday in an impressive team performance.

 

Several players hit milestones, including Kirk Cousins, who passed for 378 yards, recording his 50th career game with at least 300 yards through the air. He's the fifth QB to do so in his first 12 NFL seasons and 15th with at least 50 games all-time.

 

T.J. Hockenson led Minnesota with 11 receptions, blowing past a record for fastest tight end to record 100 receptions with a team. Hockenson entered the game with 96 through his first 16 regular-season games. The previous record was 20 games.

Jordan Addison recorded his first 100-yard game, making his Monday Night Football debut with style and substance, with 20- and 60-yard touchdown catches. He became just the fifth rookie since 1970 with at least 400 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns through his first seven games.

 

Danielle Hunter recorded his 80th career sack, passing former teammate Everson Griffen for seventh in franchise history.

 

Camryn Bynum snagged two interceptions for the first time in one game and teamed up on a tackle with Harrison Smith of Christian McCaffrey. Smith forced a fumble by the running back that was recovered by Dean Lowry.

Up next is a renewal of the Border Battle between the Vikings (3-4) and Packers (2-4) at noon (CT) Sunday.

 

The chips and choice routes that turned into a gem for TJ Hockenson vs. 49ers

 

The Vikings' tight end had arguably his best game as a Viking

MATTHEW COLLER OF PURPLE INSIDER

2 HOURS AGO (October 26, 2023)

 

EAGAN — The most Minnesota nice way to describe the first six games of the 2023 season for TJ Hockenson would be that it wasn’t exactly the start to his new contract that he wanted. But in the biggest moment of the season, Hockenson played quite possibly his best game as a Viking.

On Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, the 26-year-old tight end caught 11 passes for 86 yards, which doesn’t even begin to tell the entire story. Six of those receptions resulted in first downs and he played a massive role in helping protect Kirk Cousins throughout the 22-17 victory.

At the center of his performance, which Pro Football Focus graded as the third best game of his entire career, was two concepts that have made Hockenson an invaluable part of the offense versus the 49ers: Choice routes and chips.

On the Vikings’ second drive, he combined both on a play that would shape the game.

After recovering a Christian McCaffrey fumble the Vikings were in the shadow of their own end zone facing third-and-12. A punt would have given the 49ers the ball right back in Viking territory and given San Fran a chance to jump ahead in a game where they were already coming in as a heavy favorite. Instead Hockenson found himself wide open over the middle for a first down. The drive ended up in a tone-setting touchdown.

It wasn’t a coverage bust or random event that led to him getting open. Hockenson explained on Wednesday that after giving a chip block to pass rusher Nick Bosa, he had an option to read the situation and go where he sought fit.

“I have the option to do whatever I want there,” Hockenson said. “I saw [the linebacker’s] eyes go deep and outside and he lost leverage of me. Kirk and I were on the same page.”

Hockenson had 11 receptions in Minnesota's upset win over the 49ers. Image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

The choice route has been a staple since Hockenson arrived. He said that O’Connell’s system gives him the option to read and react.

“It took me a while when I was first in the league, they gave me choice routes in Detroit my first year with Stafford and he sat me down and took me through all the coverages and what he assumed in different situations,” Hockenson said. “Here it’s been super easy because [Cousins] is really good with anticipation with me and KO has given me the freedom to see what I see. That makes it a lot easier than, ‘you have to break out here, you have to break out here, oh now you can break in.’ Instead of being able to actually read it and understand what the defense is giving you and feel space. That’s something I can do well.”

Throughout the game Hockenson was difficult to cover for the 49ers, creating an average of 3.1 yards of separation per reception according to NFLNextGen Stats (which was the same as Stefon Diggs in Week 7). A number of his most open targets came on choice routes.

“I think there’s a trust level with him,” Cousins said. “He showed right away that he has a good feel for some of those routes where he has to make a good decision on the fly. That he’ll make the right decision, that with his athleticism he’ll create separation, and a lot of it is also Kevin designing the plays and putting him in a position where the ball is likely going to go to him. As long as I throw with accuracy and he does his job, the ball goes to him.”

Later in the first half Hockenson had a more subtle role in a gigantic play that swung the game.

With seven seconds remaining in the first half and the Vikings ahead 10-7 with the ball at the Minnesota 40-yard line, Cousins flung the ball toward Jordan Addison. The rookie stole it away from cornerback Charvarius Ward and trotted into the end zone for a spectacular touchdown. What went less noticed was that when the 49ers sent an all-out blitz, Hockenson got lined up against Bosa. He was smashed back toward the QB by the defensive MVP but held on just long enough for Cousins to get the throw off.

“We asked him to do a lot in the plan, whether it was be responsible for some of those kind of protection tools to help Kirk [Cousins] be as efficient and as explosive as he was,” O’Connell said on Wednesday. “We don’t really know where 97 [Nick Bosa] is going to be, well it ends up he’s got to block him one-on-one and survived that down enough that Kirk can get that ball thrown and caught on Jordan’s great play.”

Most of Hockenson’s efforts against Bosa were in the form of chips, which is where he gives a little extra help to the offensive tackle before going out on his route. On ESPN, analysts Dan Orlovsky and Marcus Spears highlighted his role in O’Connell’s gameplan to slow Bosa.

“[Bosa’s] super power is getting off the football,” Spears said. “His first step is what puts tackles in a bind but you see a little hesitation because [Bosa] is trying to change his body angle.”

“Offensively we are trying to give our tackle to get set before the first initial move and they did an outstanding job of making sure they gave Kirk a chance,” Orlovsky said.

O’Connell used Hockenson often during the win in conjunction with fellow tight end Josh Oliver. The No. 2 TE played a season high 30 snaps, a number of which came in alignments on the same side as Hockenson. The two have started to develop chemistry on combo blocks and releases, which was particularly demonstrated on Hockenson’s longest catch of the game, a play-action throw where he ran a deep crossing route. The Vikings got a different look than expected and Oliver had to adapt how he blocked in order to allow him to get out on the route.

“It was hard for me because I have to outside release that and Josh is on my outside so he has to really take a second and realize where I’m at in space and how I move around that guy rather than just being able to bulldoze,” Hockenson said.

The Vikings need all the contributions they can get with Justin Jefferson still on the shelf and that remains the case as they head to Green Bay. On Wednesday Hockenson did not practice due to a foot injury that he battled through during Monday night’s game. They won’t just need him in the lineup but once again in peak form in order to carry over the momentum from his best game of the season.

“He played a really, really strong game and quite honestly, that’s what I expect out of T.J. with what he’s done ever since he got here,” O’Connell said.

2023 preseason All-NFC North Team

 

We take a look at the best players at each position in the NFC North

 

By Jared Dubin

September 6, 2023

The 2023 NFL season is rapidly approaching, which means it is once again time for us to unveil our preseason All-Division teams. We've done this exercise for the past several years, and the point is to preview which players at each position, in each division, we expect to put forth the best performance this coming season. 

We began last week with the AFC, starting with the AFC East, continuing to the AFC North and AFC South, and finally finishing up with the AFC West. This week, it's on to the NFC. We began Tuesday with the NFC East, continue today with the NFC North, and will work our way through the remainder of the conference over the next couple days. 

Without further ado ...

Offensive skill positions

QB: Kirk Cousins (MIN)
RB: Aaron Jones (GB)
WR: Justin Jefferson (MIN), Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET), D.J. Moore (CHI)
TE: T.J. Hockenson (MIN)
FLEX: Christian Watson (GB)

Choosing the quarterback for this division was tough. Do you want consistency (Cousins, Jared Goff), explosiveness (Justin Fields), or the unknown (Jordan Love)? In the end we went with Cousins, who consistently throws for 4,000-plus yards and around 30 touchdowns. If the Lions had given Goff a premier outside receiver to complement Amon-Ra St. Brown, that might have tipped the scales in his direction. 

There's been a lot of turnover at running back in this division. Dalvin Cook is gone, supplanted by Alexander Mattison. Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift are out of Detroit, replaced by David Montgomery (who used to be in Chicago) and Jahmyr Gibbs. Khalil Herbert is the lead back for the Bears, likely sharing time with some combination of D'Onta Foreman and Roschon Johnson. But Jones is still here, and he is coming off a wildly productive season during which he averaged 5.3 yards per carry and set a career high in receptions (59). He'll turn 29 years old in December so this pick is a little shaky, but his talent is still there and he's yet to show signs of a drop-off.

Jefferson is the current belt holder as the best receiver in football. Not much more needs to be said. The Sun God is a target vacuum who should continue seeing a ton of looks from Goff in Ben Johnson's offense, and could reach something like 120 receptions if he stays healthy. Moore might not have the same effect on Fields that, say, Stefon Diggs did on Josh Allen or A.J. Brown did on Jalen Hurts, but he's such an enormous upgrade over what Fields had last year that he can't help but bring his QB along with him. Watson's ridiculous speed and explosiveness was on display throughout last season. Now, he needs to be more consistent. As the clear-cut top option for Love, we're betting he shows out. And Hockenson emerged as a true No. 2 threat alongside Jefferson last season, and with Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn also there, it's difficult to devote extra attention to everyone. 

Offensive line

OT: Christian Darrisaw (MIN), Penei Sewell (DET)
G: Elgton Jenkins (GB), Jonah Jackson (DET)
C: Frank Ragnow (DET)

Darrisaw ranked in the top 10 of Pro Football Focus' pass-blocking grades last season, and showed massive improvement year over year as both a pass and run blocker. He's only in his third season and should still be getting better. It was hard to leave David Bakhtiari off this list, but Sewell is such a rare athlete for his position that I can't help but bet on his untapped upside. He's already really good and he could be a consistent All-Pro type of player if he puts it all together. 

Jenkins took a slight step backward last season as he had to play multiple positions due to injuries, but locked back in at guard he should be able to recapture his prior form. And while Jackson also took a slight step back, he's headed into his physical prime as part of a unit that should be able to jell into one of the league's best. Playing alongside Ragnow doesn't hurt.

Defensive front

EDGE: Rashan Gary (GB), Danielle Hunter (MIN)
IDL: Kenny Clark (GB), Devonte Wyatt (GB)
LB: Tremaine Edmunds (CHI), De'Vondre Campbell (GB)
FLEX: Aidan Hutchinson (DET)

Gary is coming off a torn ACL but should be ready to go to start the year, and in just half a season had collected 6 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits a year ago. The year before, he totaled a career-best 9.5 sacks and and ranked third in the NFL with 81 total pressures, according to TruMedia. A breakout could be coming soon. And Hunter got his raise to stay in Minnesota, and last year showed he still has the double-digit sack upside he'd consistently reached in the earlier portion of his career. He turns 29 in October but has plenty left in the tank. Hutchinson collected 9.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 15 QB hits as a rookie. His pressure rate wasn't as high as you'd like it to be for a player of his pedigree, but he showed he can hold his own and should get better as he gets more used to the league.

Outside of Clark, who is a consistent force in the middle of Green Bay's defense but has just not had much help in there over the past few years, the interior defensive line talent in this division is pretty lacking. So, we're betting on Wyatt breaking out in his second NFL season after not making much of an impact in Year 1. Edmunds is still incredibly young for a player of his experience level, and his athleticism on the second level of the defense is rare. Last year was the best of his career and Matt Eberflus identified him as a guy the Bears needed to sign. A former linebacker coach, he can potentially help Edmunds get to the next level. Campbell didn't come all that close to hitting the All-Pro level he achieved in 2021, but he was still a solid player for Green Bay and should continue to be one for the next few years, even as he hits his 30s. 

Defensive backfield

CB: Jaire Alexander (GB), Jaylon Johnson (CHI), Cameron Sutton (DET)
SAF: Harrison Smith (MIN), Jaquan Brisker (CHI)

Alexander picked off five passes and got his hands on eight more last season, and he nearly matched his elite performance from 2020 by yielding a passer rating of only 66.2 on throws in his direction. (It was 54.3 a few years ago.) He's in his prime and has the prototypical size-strength-speed combination to remain an elite corner. Johnson is a pretty underrated player because he's been on an awful Bears defense, but he's never allowed more than 59% of passes thrown in his direction to be completed and last year he ranked right on the CB1 borderline in coverage snaps per reception (12.2), per PFF. Sutton is a really solid player who should help a Detroit secondary that desperately needs it. 

Smith is getting up there in age now and showed a slight sign of drop-off last season, but other elite safeties have been able to maintain a high level of play into their mid-30s and his versatility makes him a strong bet to contribute at a high level. Brisker played really well as a full-season starter in his first NFL action a year ago, racking up tackles, collecting four sacks, and holding his own in coverage. With more talent in front of him and on the outside (draft pick Tyrique Stevenson seems like a locked-in starter), he should be freer to roam around and make even more plays in Year 2.

Specialists

K: Cairo Santos (CHI)
P: Jack Fox (DET)
RET: Keisean Nixon (GB)

Santos has made 84.5% of his career kicks and has been over 86.7% during each of his three seasons in Chicago. He also made four kicks of 50-plus yards a year ago. Fox owns a career punting average of 49.0 yards and has reduced his touchback rate in each NFL season. Nixon led the NFL in kick return yardage last year and was named a first-team All-Pro. He might have a bit more responsibility as a corner this year but he should still be a major factor in the return game.