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Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson Sends Message on J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy missed his rookie season due to a meniscus tear and surgery, so the former Michigan star and No. 10 pick hasn’t played a regular season snap yet. However, the Vikings handed over the keys of the offense to McCarthy and let quarterback Sam Darnold leave in free agency despite a career year in 2024.
“That’s my dog,” Hockenson told Fox News during Tight End University in June. “He is one of the best people I have been around. Just a young guy that’s hungry and wants to learn, he wants to get better.”
“I mean, he’s making a trip down here soon, and so he wants to be great in this league and I respect that and he is willing to do the things and the hard things it takes to be great,” Hockenson added.
Hockenson participated in the annual tight end summit in Nashville, Tennessee, led by star tight ends George Kittle and Travis Kelce plus former NFL tight end Greg Olsen. A Nashville area resident in the offseason, Hockenson said TEU has been beneficial for on-field improvement and connecting with fellow NFL tight ends.
“Coming here and having all the guys, it’s good to be around Travis, be around George. I mean, I’m around (Kittle) every day, we’re around each other every day,” Hockenson said.
“To see some of the guys off the field, and really make the connection, really meet them outside of football. It’s a lot of fun,” Hockenson added. “So that’s what I try to get out of it every year, learning some things on the field, some tidbits, helping guys each year, and then being able to make those connections and build relationships off the field with those guys.”
For Hockenson, he will be catching passes from his third different starting quarterback in four seasons with the Vikings. However, Hockenson believes McCarthy can make the big throws and noted that his “arm talent is insane.”
“He’s got that switch. He turns that on when he gets on the field,” he said. “You don’t really notice that when you’re just hanging out and talking with him, but he really wants it.”
“He really wants everything to be perfect, and he’s a perfectionist for sure, which is awesome. That is how you need to be as a quarterback in this league,” Hockenson added.
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SILAS BOLDEN 75-YARD PUNT RETURN TO THE HOUSE‼️ pic.twitter.com/QsW24fqYhg
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025
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Logan Brown, T: If we were to rank the undrafted players worth keeping an eye on in training camp, Brown would hover near the top. He was a huge recruit who found his footing last year at Kansas. Right tackle will likely be his primary position. Remember the name.
NFL Draft Stuff
10 linebackers to know in the 2026 NFL Draft
Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Hill entered college as a five-star recruit and immediately lived up to the hype, starting immediately as a true freshman. He’s constantly around the football, whether that’s as a run defender, pass-rusher or in coverage. Since 2023, his 32 coverage stops are tied for the most among FBS linebackers, while his 10 sacks and five forced fumbles are tied for the most among Power Four ones. Hill has had 127 plays where he’s made first contact on the ballcarrier in that same span, the most of any returning Power Four linebacker.
Hill is a versatile athlete who wears many different hats for the Longhorns’ defense and could find his way into the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Styles began his career as a safety for the Buckeyes before transitioning to linebacker this past season. It was a move that paid off for the former No. 4 overall recruit in the 2022 high school class, as he finished his junior year as one of the 20 most valuable linebackers in the nation, according to PFF’s wins above average metric.
Styles still looks like a safety in coverage, tying for fifth among Power Four linebackers with 16 coverage stops last season. He also adjusted well to the more physical style of play that playing linebacker requires, tallying six sacks and 75 plays with first contact on the ball carrier.
Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
Louis was one of six linebackers in the FBS with 80-plus grades as a run defender and in coverage last season. The sophomore led the Power Four with 22 tackles for loss/no gain and four interceptions last season.
Louis’ movement ability in coverage is reminiscent of a slot cornerback, and he has elite agility. He does need to get bigger, though, looking more like a safety at 225 pounds.
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