Who Should I Start? T.J. Hockenson or Juwan Johnson


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.4 0.0 0.0 3.8 33.8 0.2

T.J. Hockenson News

T.J. Hockenson Is a Late Redraft Swing at TE22

Thursday, July 23, 12:45 PM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is no longer being drafted as a weekly difference-maker, which is probably where his 2026 appeal starts. He caught 51 of 66 targets for 438 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season, his lowest yardage total since his rookie year. Minnesota's offense was a mess around him. Three quarterbacks started, the line cycled through 26 combinations, and Hockenson's routes were reduced because he had to stay in and help in protection. The setup is better, not clean. J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray will split first-team work early in camp, while Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings leave plenty of competition for targets. Hockenson remains the Vikings' lead receiving tight end after restructuring his contract, though he played only 69% of the offensive snaps last year. RotoBaller lists him at TE22 with an ADP of 161.6. That is late enough to take a chance, but managers should pair him with another tight end rather than count on a full return to form.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.9 0.0 0.0 3.6 40.1 0.2

Juwan Johnson News

Juwan Johnson Still the TE1 in New Orleans

Thursday, July 16, 8:06 AM

The New Orleans Saints added to the tight end position this offseason, even after Juwan Johnson had a career year in 2025. The Saints signed Noah Fant in free agency and used a third-round pick to take former University of Georgia TE Oscar Delp. However, Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes that Johnson should remain atop the depth chart at the position for the Saints entering the 2026 campaign. The Saints' moves at the position could signal a move to a vastly different-looking offense this year that will feature more two-tight end sets. The 29-year-old Johnson set career highs in catches (77), targets (102), and receiving yards (889) last year while catching three touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in his sixth year in New Orleans. Only Arizona's Trey McBride and Atlanta's Kyle Pitts Sr. had more receiving yards in 2025, and Johnson's 889 yards were the fourth-most in a single season by a TE in Saints history. Most of his production came after rookie Tyler Shough took over as the starting QB. Johnson has established himself as an excellent size-speed athlete, but with more competition for targets coming from Fant, Delp, and rookie first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson, regression figures to be coming in 2026. Fantasy managers should target Johnson as a low-end TE2 after his career year in 2025.


T.J. Hockenson vs. Juwan Johnson

Still trying to decide between Hockenson and Johnson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that T.J. Hockenson is projected to score 8.4 points this week while Juwan Johnson is projected to score 8.9 points.