A quick look at the Lions' first-round draft pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson. Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Let's get this out of the way early: T.J. Hockenson is not Rob Gronkowski.
Comparing Hockenson to Gronkowski is a natural thing to do after the Lions made the former their first-round pick in Thursday’s NFL draft, but Gronkowski — a favorite of second-year Lions coach Matt Patricia — is one of the greatest tight ends of this generation and it’s unrealistic to expect anyone to match his feats on the football field.