T.J. Hockenson trade results finalized: Here’s what Detroit Lions got

T.J. Hockenson trade results finalized: Here’s what Detroit Lions got

Back during the 2022 NFL trade deadline, the Detroit Lions sent tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings for a swap of several draft picks. As a reminder, here are the trade terms for both teams:

Lions got:

• 2023 second-round pick (55 overall)
• 2024 third-round pick (73)

Vikings got:

• T.J. Hockenson
• 2023 fourth-round pick (119)
• 2024 fourth-round pick (129)

All of the Lions picks involved in this trade have been accounted for. Here’s a look at what the Lions got in that trade:

Lions’ haul

2023 second-round pick (55 overall)

It’s a little hard to track exactly the value the Lions got out of this pick because they traded back from 55, then again from 63 to 68. Here’s the combined haul of those two trade downs:

Got:

• QB Hendon Hooker (68th overall)
• Pick 122 overall (fourth round) — Part of trade-up package for Brodric Martin
• Pick 139 overall (fifth round) — Part of trade-up package for Brodric Martin
• Pick 249 overall (seventh round) — traded away in the D’Andre Swift trade

Lost:

• Pick 63 overall
• 183rd overall (sixth round)
• 194th overall (sixth round)

So, in essence, the trade netted the Lions Hendon Hooker and a portion of Brodric Martin in 2023.

2024 third-round pick (73)

Again, the Lions did end up drafting with the 73rd overall pick. Instead, they used it in a package to trade up and get Terrion Arnold. A reminder of those trade terms:

Got:

• CB Terrion Arnold (24th overall)
• 2025 seventh-round pick

Lost:

• Pick 29
• Pick 73

So this portion of the trade netted the Lions the trade capital necessary to trade up and get Terrion Arnold.

Putting it all together, the Lions took the assets of this trade, combined it with other draft capital they already had (notably Pick 29 this year, 63 last year), and netted Hendon Hooker, Brodric Martin, and Terrion Arnold.

The biggest benefit of this trade was that the Lions didn’t have to sign Hockenson to a pricey contract extension, while the Vikings (four years, $66 million) did. Meanwhile, the Lions were able to replace Hockenson by drafting Sam LaPorta in the second round last year.