2019 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills 7 round mock draft
By Joe Romano
Round 2 – Pick 41
TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Entering day two, with Sweat taken in the first round, the rest of this draft needs to help Allen’s development at quarterback. The best friend for any quarterback is a talented tight end. T.J. Hockenson may be the best of the bunch of this class.
Buffalo has a talented tight end in Charles Clay but he is closing in on 30 and missed a majority of the season with injury. There is a good chance he is let go prior to his deal expiring in 2020. Clay has been a steady force in Buffalo but has clearly lost a step and has a vast injury history.
Hockenson is the type of player that can step in from day one and help the young quarterback. He’s a mix of the old school tight ends of the past with the new wave athletes that are dominating the position. Becasue of that and his Iowa connection, expect plenty of comparisons to 49’ers All Pro tight end George Kittle.
While Hockenson may eventually live up to those loft expectations, he has room to grow. At Iowa he was overshadowed by teammate Noah Fant. The other Hawkeye tight end, Fant is an elite draft prospect in his own right. Hockenson is a do-it-all tight end with soft hands and athletic ability that sneaks up on defenders. He was asked to line up all over for Iowa and made the most of every opportunity despite less than ideal quarterback play.
For Bufflao Hockenson would add a dimension that the offense was missing a season ago. Robert Foster stretched defenses and helped Allen’s big arm look even bigger. Meanwhile there was no over the middle or run after the catch threat. That is where Hockenson would shine. He would also help pave the way for LeSean McCoy should he return and aid any tackles in pass protection with exceptional chips on his way out to run routes.