The Minnesota Vikings have some tough decisions to make this offseason, and one of the biggest revolves around tight end T.J. Hockenson.
With a cap hit that currently ranks second among all tight ends in the league, the numbers just haven’t matched the price tag-especially this past season. Whether it’s due to injuries, scheme fit, or circumstances beyond his control, the production simply hasn’t been there to justify the cost.
And with the Vikings needing to make serious cap adjustments, Hockenson’s future in Minnesota is looking increasingly uncertain.
If the Vikings do decide to move on, they’ll take a dead money hit, sure-but it might be a necessary step in a larger cap-clearing effort. The question then becomes: who steps in?
Josh Oliver is an excellent blocking tight end and has carved out a valuable role, but he’s not the kind of dynamic pass-catching threat that can anchor a modern NFL offense. Ben Yurosek is an intriguing developmental piece, but at this stage, he’s still a projection more than a plug-and-play option.
The free agent market at tight end has some depth, but after last offseason’s spending spree, don’t expect the Vikings to throw big money around again. Which is why the draft may end up being the most practical and cost-effective route to finding Hockenson’s successor.
Enter Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq.
In The Athletic’s first 2026 mock draft, Dane Brugler has the Vikings selecting Sadiq with the 18th overall pick. That’s a bold move-especially considering how many have pegged Minnesota to go defense early, particularly in the secondary. But Brugler’s insight from league sources suggests Sadiq could be the kind of player who’s simply too talented to pass up, regardless of positional need.
And the talent? It’s there in spades.
Sadiq checks in at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, and he’s built like a modern-day mismatch nightmare. He caught 29 passes across his first two seasons at Oregon, but his breakout came this year when he hauled in 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns as the Ducks’ top tight end. His two-touchdown performance in last year’s Big Ten Championship Game gave us a preview of what was coming, and he delivered.
This is a guy who doesn’t just win with size-he’s a freak athlete in every sense of the word. Bruce Feldman had him on his annual “freaks list” heading into the season, and the numbers back it up: a 41.5-inch vertical, a 365-pound power clean, and a 435-pound bench press.
He’s added 35 pounds of muscle since arriving at Oregon, dropping his body fat percentage in the process. That kind of transformation speaks to his work ethic, and NFL teams have taken notice.
Sadiq’s game isn’t just about raw measurables, though. He’s got the adjustment skills to make tough catches look routine, and he brings a physical edge as a blocker-something that’ll endear him to coaches right away. There’s a reason some scouts believe he has top-10 talent.
If the Vikings do end up parting ways with Hockenson, Sadiq would represent a high-upside swing at a position that’s becoming increasingly important in today’s offenses. He’s not just a replacement-he’s a potential centerpiece. And with the 18th pick, he might just be the kind of bold move that helps Minnesota stay competitive while managing the cap.
Whether the Vikings trade Hockenson or cut him outright, it’s becoming more a matter of when than if. And if Kenyon Sadiq is on the board when they’re on the clock, don’t be surprised if Minnesota makes a move that turns heads-and potentially reshapes their offense for years to come.