The Vikings acquired Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick from the Lions on Tuesday in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
With Irv Smith expected to miss time due to a high-ankle sprain, the NFC North-leading Vikings swung a deal with one of their division rivals to secure a high-quality replacement in Hockenson, who should sit atop the tight end depth chart even after Smith returns. Hockenson had been the co-No. 2 option in the passing game for Detroit this season behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and was off to a strong start through seven games, producing a 26-395-3 line on 43 targets. He joins a similar situation in a Minnesota passing game dominated by another elite receiver in Justin Jefferson, but it's conceivable Hockenson could quickly challenge Adam Thielen (knee) for the No. 2 role. The tight end is due $9.39 million in 2023 after Detroit exercised his fifth-year team option earlier this year, but the Vikings could look to negotiate a longer-term extension with Hockenson next spring depending on how he performs over the back half of this season.