The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2019 NFL Draft looking for a long-term solution on their interior offensive line. They selected center Garrett Bradbury out of North Carolina State with the 18th overall pick.

Although he was a starter each season, the results were mixed. Only once did he post a PFF pass grade over 60.0, as he was credited with allowing 164 pressures. He was a better run-blocker, grading out with at least a 61.9 grade every year but never higher than 72.4. So, who would the Vikings select if they could do the draft all over again?

PFF did a 2019 re-draft, and although the Vikings didn’t pick Bradbury, they still selected a future Viking. Minnesota takes T.J. Hockenson in the re-draft, ten picks later than his original draft position with the Detroit Lions.

Hockenson now resides in Minnesota after being traded by the Lions in 2022, but the Vikings likely would’ve been satisfied with him as a more immediate successor to Kyle Rudolph. Over the past five seasons, Hockenson ranks sixth among tight ends in PFF WAR and seventh in PFF receiving grade among players with at least 100 targets. 

Selecting Hockenson would have eliminated the need to draft Irv Smith, Jr. in the second round. Smith caught 91 passes for 858 yards and nine touchdowns in 37 games in Minnesota. Hockenson has 196 receptions for 1,934 yards and eight touchdowns in 35 games with the Vikings.