The Detroit Lions have traded tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings for draft picks in 2023 and 2024.

Hockenson was the Lions’ best tight end and one of the best receiving threats on the team, next to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and wide receiver Josh Reynolds. With his trade, tight end Brock Wright will move to the number one position, and tight end James Mitchell will move to the number two.

With the trade, the Lions received the Vikings’ 2023 second-round pick and the Vikings’ 2023 third-round pick. The Lions will send a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick.

Updated Draft Selections for the Lions

Lions 2023 NFL Draft picks

• First round: Lions own pick
• First round: Rams pick
• Second round: Lions own pick
• Second round: Vikings pick
• Third round: Lions own pick
• Fifth round: Lions own pick
• Sixth round: Lions own pick
• Sixth round: Broncos pick

Lions 2024 NFL Draft picks

• First round: Lions own pick
• Second round: Lions own pick
• Third round: Lions own pick
• Third round: Vikings pick
• Fifth round: Lions own pick
• Sixth round: Lions own pick
• Seventh round: Lions own pick

The Lions were not going to pay Hockenson top-five tight end pay, considering he was not living up to the stats of a top-flight tight end. The Lions will save around $2 million in cap space this season and about $9.4 million in the 2023 season.

The Lions will not have a winning season this year, so trading assets for younger players for the future was the right move for the Lions.