T.J. Hockenson or Tucker Kraft: Toss-Up — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Too close to call — the edges cancel out.

T.J. Hockenson and Tucker Kraft grade out even this week. Hockenson's best edge is availability (a clean report to Kraft's Questionable), Kraft's best edge is the consensus rank (TE13 to TE15) — and they cancel out. Start whichever player's game you trust more this week.

T.J. Hockenson

TE15MINvs GB

4.76.99.2 Projected Points

Start· medium

Tucker Kraft

TE13GBvs MIN

5.57.39.1 Projected Points

Start· medium

Why T.J. Hockenson

Start· medium

TE1 and primary middle-of-field target. Route-savvy seam threat with high-volume usage when healthy.

Locked-in receiving TE role — 78% snaps, 16% target share and 9.2 projected PPR play up in a one-score game (spread 1.5).

GB ranks 12 of 32 against TEs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 0-game sample).
Vegas implies 21.5 team points as 1.5-point underdogs.
Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 78% snap share in 2025.

The call

Hockenson is the clear pass-catching half of the 1a/1b split with Josh Oliver handling the blocking work, so the target volume behind his 16% share is safe.
78% snap share over 15 games plus no injury designation means the floor is real; TE production is volume-driven and he has it.
A 1.5-point spread and 21.5 implied total point to a competitive script where the offense keeps throwing rather than milking a lead.
The caution: consensus has him at TE15 and the DvP composite sits 12 of 32 on a 0-game sample, so this is a mid-range TE1 play, not a matchup smash spot.

Latest on Hockenson

Verified

RoleT.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are being deployed as 1a/1b tight ends, with Hockenson serving as the top receiving tight end while Oliver works as the primary blocking tight end.Yahoo Sports · Aug 30, 2026

Why Tucker Kraft

Start· medium

TE1 and primary seam threat. Physical yards-after-catch producer and capable in-line blocker; returning from injury.

86% snaps and a 20% target share make Kraft a locked-in TE1 usage bet; TE13 at 9.1 clears the streamer bar if he's active Sunday.

Carries a Questionable tag — usually plays, but monitor the final report.
MIN ranks 7 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 0-game sample).
Vegas implies 23.0 team points as 1.5-point favorites.
Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 86% snap share in 2025.

The call

A 20% target share over eight games is elite for the position — Kraft is a genuine focal point in this passing game, not a matchup-dependent streamer, and 86% snaps confirm the every-down role.
The DvP composite lists Minnesota 7 of 32 against tight ends, but it's a 0-game sample with 0.00 confidence — that number shouldn't override established volume.
Game script cooperates: a 1.5-point spread with a 23.0 implied total means a competitive, two-way script that keeps Green Bay throwing rather than salting a lead away.
The only real risk is the questionable tag. If he's downgraded or ruled out pregame, pivot; short of that, TE13 with this usage beats the replacement-level tight end on your bench.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	T.J. Hockenson	Tucker Kraft
Projected points	4.76.99.2	5.57.39.1
Consensus rank	TE15	TE13
Opponent vs position	GB · 12 of 320-game sample	MIN · 7 of 320-game sample
Receptions	19 of 32	6 of 32
Receiving Yards	6 of 32	5 of 32
Receiving TDs	9 of 32	9 of 32
Targets	19 of 32	7 of 32
Anytime TD	9 of 32	9 of 32
Target share	16%(2025)	20%(2025)
Reception share	19%(2025)	21%(2025)
Implied total · spread	21.5+1.5	23.0-1.5
Depth chart	TE1	TE1
Snap share	78%(2025)	86%(2025)
Injury designation	—	Questionable