2019 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 25 Prospects entering NFL Combine

Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson looks to be the top tight end in the 2019 draft, but his place in the first round is far from a foregone conclusion. With a deep crop of tight ends this year, it will be interesting to see if an NFL team rates Hockenson that much higher than his Iowa teammate Noah Fant, Alabama’s Irv Smith Jr., or even someone like Texas A&M’s Jace Sternberger who could be had on the third day.

Hockenson has drawn comparisons to Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski with his ability to impact the game as a blocker and a receiver. Hockenson is versatile enough to play in a variety of schemes, possessing a strong ability to line up on the line-of-scrimmage or to split out wide.

Hockenson produced 760 yards and six touchdowns this past season at Iowa despite playing with a limited quarterback in an ultra-conservative offensive system. At 6-foot-5, Hockenson can be a nightmare matchup for defensive backs tasked with covering him. Combine his size with his soft hands and outstanding catch radius, and the Hawkeye looks like an immediate starter at the NFL level.

There doesn’t appear to be a discernible weakness in his tape – he figures to pay immediate dividends to whichever NFL team drafts him. He should be a first round lock.

I could see Hockenson going as high as No. 8 to the Detroit Lions, with former Patriots assistant Matt Patricia buying into the Gronkowski hype and hoping the Iowa product can impact his team in the same way that Gronk impacted New England.

That would probably be a reach, however, with a more likely landing spot being the Ravens or Texans at No. 22 and No. 23. If he slips, the Patriots could view him as Gronk’s replacement at the tail end of the first round.