Packers 2019 Draft: Tight end T.J. Hockenson a first-round option

Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson is a first-round option for the Green Bay Packers in the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Packers have the benefit of picking twice in the first round of this year’s draft, and that could help them in their search for a new tight end.

Even with Jimmy Graham under contract for another two years, there’s a good chance the Packers will need to replace free agents Marcedes Lewis and Lance Kendricks this offseason.

If general manager Brian Gutekunst decides to draft a tight end in the first round, he might have to make a decision between two players out of Iowa: Hockenson and Noah Fant.

If the Packers lose Lewis in free agency, they’ll need a tight end who can block. That’s one of the reasons why Hockenson would be a great fit in Green Bay, but he can also help out as a receiver.

Described as a “Day 1 impact player at the next level” by Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, Hockenson would make sense for the Packers in the first round.

And it’s his ability to do just about everything asked of him that makes him arguably the best tight end in this year’s class.

Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network called Hockenson a “do it all TE prospect”.

"“Well versed in life as an in-line blocker, perfectly comfortable in pass protection and has excelled in that area. RAC monster, catch point winner, in-line TE with vertical ability. A true X-factor weapon.”"

In the long term, the Packers would potentially have their number one tight end. For the short term they’d get the pairing of Hockenson and Jimmy Graham, which would be a lot of fun.

While Graham doesn’t offer much as a blocker, Hockenson does. But he can also be a big factor as a pass catcher in the new-look offense under Matt LaFleur.

It’s tough to predict exactly where Hockenson will be selected, but it’ll almost certainly be at some point in the first round. With picks at No. 12 and No. 30, Gutekunst could use either selection if Hockenson is still on the board, or potentially move up if he’s still available around pick 24 or 25.

Some mock drafts have Hockenson going inside the top-10 before the Packers even hit the clock, while other mocks have him going in the 20s.

My prediction is that if Hockenson is still there at No. 12 and the Packers don’t select him with that pick, he’ll be long gone by the time they hit the clock again later in the round.

Selecting a tight end with the 12th overall pick might not be Green Bay’s preference, but considering how much of an impact Hockenson can have in this offense, as well as the fact they have another selection on Day 1, he could be a home-run selection for GM Brian Gutekunst.