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Jacksonville Jaguars mock draft: TJ Hockenson leads balanced class

By Dillon Appleman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 7: Quarterback Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to quarterback Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars after the game on September 7, 2014 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 34-17 (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 7: Quarterback Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to quarterback Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars after the game on September 7, 2014 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 34-17 (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 20: Defensive back Marcus Lewis #8 of the Maryland Terrapins breaks up a pass in the first half intended for tight end TJ Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 20, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 20: Defensive back Marcus Lewis #8 of the Maryland Terrapins breaks up a pass in the first half intended for tight end TJ Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 20, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Round 1 Pick 7: TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa

The consensus amongst draft experts over the last couple of months has been that it’s down to either a tackle or Hockenson for the Jags in round 1.

While I would be fine plugging the hole on the right side of the line with one of the drafts top tackles, Hockenson is legitimately a rare talent at the tight end position and is exactly the type of weapon that Foles needs.

After redshirting his first year with the Hawkeyes, Hockenson spent the next two years racking up 73 receptions and had over 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns. All of this while splitting targets with fellow assumed first round pick, Noah Fant.

He checks all of the boxes teams look for (specifically the Jaguars) when looking for a tight end, as he has proven to be superb as a blocker, has shown off reliable hands and has some nuance to his route running that is hard to find in a guy his size.

Watching him on tape gives shades of guys like Gronkowski, Kelce and Ertz that would get any team excited for his potential in the NFL.

There hasn’t been a tight end selected as high as the Jags 7th pick since Vernon Davis went 6th in 2006, but the Jaguars should end that streak by drafting TJ Hockenson and ensuring a seamless transition for Nick Foles.

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