Who Should I Start? T.J. Hockenson or Jahmyr Gibbs

Friday, October 31, 4:34 PM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson should be viewed as a TE2 option when he takes on his former team, the Detroit Lions, in Week 9. It's been a disappointing season so far for Hockenson, who hasn't quite looked the same since an ACL tear in late 2023 and now ranks as the No. 22 fantasy tight end at the halfway point of this season. None of the Vikings played well in a Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, but Hockenson had just three targets, two catches, and 26 yards receiving. The veteran tight end and the Vikings will now turn back to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed the past five games with an ankle injury. In McCarthy's two starts this year, Hockenson had just four catches for 27 yards, and both of those took place before receiver Jordan Addison returned from a suspension. With the Vikings struggling and Hockenson set to be the team's third option, at best, he should be played only in formats that start two tight ends.

Friday, October 31, 4:21 PM

Through his first seven games of 2025, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has recorded 720 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns on 130 touches. In his final outing before Detroit's Week 8 bye, Gibbs racked up 218 scrimmage yards and two scores in 20 touches against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Week 9, Gibbs and the Lions will face a Minnesota Vikings defense that has been roughly mid-pack against the run. Through eight weeks, Minnesota ranks 20th in rushing yards allowed (913) and 10th in rushing touchdowns allowed (five). Gibbs had two monster performances against the Vikings in 2024, recording a combined 327 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns on 47 touches. Lions RB2 David Montgomery did not play in one of those games, but Gibbs' history of success against Minnesota is still noteworthy. He profiles as a must-start fantasy running back in Week 9.