INDIANAPOLIS – T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant are two of the top tight end prospects here at the NFL Scouting Combine. They also happen to be former teammates at Iowa this past season.
Hockenson and Fant are trying to be the first tight ends from the same school to both be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft in the modern era.
With that naturally comes a bit of a friendly competition as well.
"More than anything, I'm worried about being the first tight end taken," Fant said Friday at the Combine. "Obviously, I want both me and T.J. to go in the first round, he's a great player, and it's going to be fun to compete out here on the field.
"We haven't bet on it, but it's a friendly competition. Always has been and always will be. That's why we come out here. We come out here to compete."
View photos of the Detroit Lions at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn, Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, Detroit Lions Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle O'Brien and Detroit Lions Director of Player Personnel Lance Newmark at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle O'Brien and Detroit Lions Director of Player Personnel Lance Newmark at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn, Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, Detroit Lions Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle O'Brien and Detroit Lions Director of Player Personnel Lance Newmark at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, Detroit Lions Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle O'Brien and Detroit Lions Director of Player Personnel Lance Newmark at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle O'Brien and Detroit Lions Director of Player Personnel Lance Newmark at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle O'Brien, Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia and Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
It's Hockenson who most draft analysts expect to be the first tight end off the board. Some mock drafts have even linked him to the Detroit Lions at No. 8.
"He's the safest player in the draft," NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said earlier this week of Hockenson, the Mackey Award winner as the nation's top tight end.
Hockenson (6-4, 251) is not only one of the most explosive pass catchers among a talented tight end class this year, but he's also the best in-line blocker. He's actually dominant in that regard, and it could make him attractive to a team like Detroit, who values both traits in their tight ends.
Even sharing snaps with Fant this past season, Hockenson led the Hawkeyes with 49 catches for 760 yards (15.5 average) and six touchdowns this past season.
"I mean that's something special," Hockenson said of he and Fant potentially being first-round picks together. "Coming from the University of Iowa and just knowing how hard everyone works there … just being one of the first duos to do that would be really special."
View photos of the prospects that met the media on Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Combine.
Auburn wideout Ryan Davis talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Malone wideout Ashton Dulin talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
California-Davis wideout Keelan Doss talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Rice punter Jack Fox talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Syracuse wideout Jamal Custis talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Utah placekicker Matthew Gay talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Mississippi quarterback Nick Fitzgerald talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Arizona State wideout N'Keal Harry talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
NC State wideout Kelvin Harmon talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
NC State quarterback Ryan Finley talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Florida Atlantic wideout Jovon Durante talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
LSU placekicker Cole Tracy talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Oklahoma wideout Marquise Brown talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Wake Forest wideout Greg Dortch talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Michigan State wideout Felton Davis talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Oklahoma placekicker Austin Seibert talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Utah punter Mitchell Wishnowsky talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ohio State wideout Johnnie Dixon talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Stanford punter Jake Bailey talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Washington quarterback Jake Browning talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Georgia wideout Mecole Hardman talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Northwestern State wideout Jazz Ferguson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Stanford wideout JJ Arcega-Whiteside talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Old Dominion wideout Travis Fulgham talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Notre Dame wideout Miles Boykin talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Marshall wideout Tyre Brady talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Missouri wideout Emanuel Hall talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ole Miss wideout AJ Brown talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Northern Arizona wideout Emmanuel Butler talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas wideout LJ Humphrey talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
West Virginia quarterback Will Grier talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Georgia wideout Terry Godwin talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ohio State wideout Parris Campbell talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Iowa State wideout Hakeem Butler talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Duke quarterback Daniel Jones talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
LSU tight end Foster Moreau talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Michigan tight end Zach Gentry talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Stanford tight end Kaden Smith talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ole Miss tight end Dawson Knox talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Alabama tight end Irv Smith talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas State tight end Keenen Brown talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Utah State tight end Dax Raymond talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Missouri tight end Kendall Blanton talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Georgia tight end Isaac Nauta talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Notre Dame tight end Alize' Mack talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Washington tight end Drew Sample talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
West Virginia tigh end Trevon Wesco talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
San Diego State tight end Kahale Warring talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Boston College tight end Tommy Sweeney talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas A&M tight end Jace Sternberger talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
San Jose State tight end Josh Oliver talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Toledo wideout Diontae Johnson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Clemson wideout Hunter Renfrow talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Buffalo wideout Anthony Johnson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas Tech wideout Antoine Wesley talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ole Miss wideout Damarkus Lodge talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Colorado State wideout Bisi Johnson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fresno State wideout KeeSean Johnson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
West Virginia wideout David Sills talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Oregon wideout Dillon Mitchell talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
South Carolina wideout Deebo Samuel talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ohio State wideout Terry McLaurin talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Toledo wideout Cody Thompson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
UMASS wideout Andrew Isabella talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Louisville wideout Jaylen Smith talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
South Alabama widout Jamarius Way talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Baylor wideout Jalen Hurd talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Georgia wideout Riley Ridley talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Auburn wideout Darius Slayton talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
NC State wideout Jakobi Meyers talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Nebraska wideout Stanley Morgan talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ole Miss wideout D.K. Metcalf talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fant (6-4, 249) caught 39 passes for 519 yards (13.3) and seven touchdowns this past season. He's an explosive athlete, and will test well here at the Combine. But to overtake Hockenson as the first tight end off the board, he'll have to prove he can be a good blocker, something he said he's putting a lot of work into.
This is a terrific tight end class, led by Hockenson, Fant and Alabama's Irv Smith Jr. – another potential first-round pick.
"I think both these guys would be first-round picks, day-one starters and big-time impact guys," Jeremiah said of Hockenson and Fant.
Lions general manager Bob Quinn hasn't been shy about the fact that he's looking to upgrade the tight end position this offseason. He said at the Combine Wednesday he hasn't ruled out the potential of that being with the No. 8 pick.
The good thing about the Lions needing a tight end this year is that this might be the deepest and most talented draft class at the position in a decade.
Hockenson and Fant are expected to hear their names early on come draft day. This week in Indy, and the coming two months with Pro Days and team visits, will decide if that's in the first round for the first time for two tight end teammates.
