Huddle Up: Although he is only 28 years old, inconsistent quarterback play and injuries in recent years mean that Hockenson should best be viewed as a TE2 option in most fantasy leagues, barring a significant improvement in the performance of QB J.J. McCarthy in 2026. In 15 games last season, Hockenson had 51 receptions for 438 yards and three touchdowns.

Huddle Up: Injuries have hampered Hockenson the last couple of seasons, and inconsistent quarterback play hasn't helped matters either. He is best viewed as a TE2 at this point, but Hockenson could outperform expectations if he can stay healthy and Minnesota enjoys some improvement under center.

Huddle Up: Hockenson was once one of the more feared tight ends in the NFL, but he has had to battle through injuries in the past few seasons, limiting his production. It would also help if the Vikings would have had some stability at QB in 2025. Hockenson is still just 28 years old, and only two seasons removed from a career-high 95 reception season with a career-best 960 receiving yards in 2023, his first full season in the Twin Cities. Heading into 2026, Hockenson has the potential to rebound, but he needs to stay healthy, and he needs JJ McCarthy, or whomever is under center, to be much better.

Huddle Up: After a 2022 trade that sent Hockenson from Detroit to Minnesota, Hockenson had a banner 2023 season with 127 targets, 95 receptions, 960 yards and five touchdowns. In the following two seasons, Hockenson has produced a combined 128 targets, 92 receptions, 893 yards and just three touchdowns across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Cutting Hockenson saves Minnesota almost $9 million before June 1, but after June 1, the Vikings would shed $16 million in cap savings by letting Hockenson go. Entering his age-29 season in 2026, Hockenson hasn't put up a recent track record of fantasy success, and that production may not suddenly rebound with a new team either. That said, Hockenson may have some sporadic usefulness as a fantasy TE2 on the Vikings or elsewhere in 2026.

Huddle Up: Hockenson has battled injuries recently, and he has finished with less than 500 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. Regardless of where he ends up playing in 2026, Hockenson looks like a low-ceiling TE2 at this stage of his career.

Huddle Up: Hockenson missed his second straight practice Thursday and seems to be in danger of missing the Week 18 game. Fantasy players will know more after the final practice of the week but may want to avoid Hockenson because of the injury.

Huddle Up: Hockenson was ruled out of the Week 17 game because of the injury and is not off to a good start for the Week 18 game. Fantasy players will have a better idea of his status later in the week but probably should not expect him to play.