T.J. Hockenson labeled a fantasy sleeper at his position by The Athletic

As we head into July and get closer to the start of the NFL’s preseason, a good portion of you reading are probably starting to think about the next season of fantasy football. If you haven’t had your fantasy drafts already, you’ll likely have them in the next few weeks. Finding sleepers is key to having success, and The Athletic thinks one of those sleepers could be on the Minnesota Vikings.

It may seem strange to think of Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson as a “sleeper” at the position, as he’s been one of the top-performing tight ends for years, but there are many reasons to think he could be, according to The Athletic in their preview of the Vikings and the NFC North:

I know social media docs believe he could miss half of the season. But hear me out. Despite missing two and a half games last year, he finished fourth among fantasy TEs. Even half a season of Hockenson (plus a mediocre backup) is better than Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson, who is currently being drafted earlier. Until Hock’s back, grab an upside backup like New England’s Hunter Henry.

The possibility that Hockenson misses the team’s first six games will surely scare off some fantasy shareholders. But Hockenson has a history of performing and may be able to put up good enough numbers in little more than half a season to make the pick worth it. He may not be right for every owner in every fantasy format, but there’s certainly a world where, even despite injury, Hockenson finishes in the top five at the position.