Vikings TE gets 'Madden' Kudos - News Block

Connor Dodson (right), 14, and Aaden Brady, 13, play Madden video games as fans gather at the Super Bowl LVII Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center on February 11, 2023. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Minnesota Vikings training camp starts in three days, but before then, EA Sports’ game To get mad is revealing player ratings, an annual tradition that signals the NFL season is underway.

To kick off the week, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson posted the best possible score in the video game with a 99, while Harrison Smith was named the seventh-best safety in the NFL.

Vikings TE gets ‘Madden’ Kudos

And on Thursday, tight end TJ Hockenson also received his congratulations, with an overall score of 90 out of To get mad — aka the fourth best rating in this year’s edition of the game among TEs.

Hockenson was second only to the ‘Big Three’ of fantasy football: Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs), George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) and Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens).

Here is the complete To get mad TE pecking order for 2023:

travis kelce (K.C.) 99
george kittle (SF) 96
mark andrews (BAL) 95
TJ Hockenson (MIN) 90
dallas goedert (PHI) 89
kyle pits (ATL) 87
Darren Waller (New York) 87
Pat Freiermuth (Hole) 85
david njoku (CLE) 84
Evan Engram (New York) 84

Hockenson's talk — January 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States; Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson (87) reacts after a play against the New York Giants during the second quarter of a wild card game at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

The Vikings traded a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to the Detroit Lions for tight end TJ Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick last November. The move completely revamped the Vikings’ 2022 offense, adding a target for quarterback Kirk Cousins in the middle of the field. Opposing defensive coordinators increasingly focused on Hockenson’s Offensive Player of the Year teammate Justin Jefferson, so Hockenson felt like a godsend.

Here are a couple of stats to illustrate Hockenson’s immediate impact on the Vikings:

Most receiving yards,
in first 10 games with Vikings:

Justin Jefferson (848)
Sammy White (742)
John Gilliam (722)
randy moss (698)
Bernardo Berrian (667)
Stefon Diggs (638)
Jermaine Wiggins (538)
T. J. Hockenson (519)

5 players entering — December 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States; Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson (87) makes a catch as New York Jets linebacker Kwon Alexander (9) defends during the first quarter at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Most receptions by a TE,
First 10 Games with a Franchise,
since 1970:

TJ Hockenson, MIN (60)
Kellen Winslow, CLE (56)
Keith Jackson, PHI (54)
Tony Gonzalez, KC (52)
Jermaine Wiggins, Min (51)

hockenson stuff — December 11, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, United States; Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson (87) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) talk for a minute after the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports.

Hockenson is also eligible for a contract extension, which could come at any time. At Vikings team activities in May, Hockenson spoke to reporters about his future. “That’s not really something I focus on. I mean, it is what it is. I think it’s no secret that that’s coming, but that’s not an approach that worries me. I’m just here playing soccer, having fun with the guys, really enjoying the city of Minneapolis and trying to get closer to these fans,” Hockenson said.

“Obviously, this is a place I want to be, and everything has to work. I hope to be here for a long time, but at the same time, it’s a business, and that has its side. Again, I don’t look at that, but it’s great to be here right now,” she concluded.

And when that deal is finalized, the Vikings will employ Madden’s fourth best tight end of the next four to six years.

Hockenson turned 26 earlier this month.

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dustin baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel, vikesnow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with raun sawh and spice salt. His obsession with Vikings dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.