3 emergency options to replace T.J. Hockenson in championship game

Josh Oliver, Minnesota Vikings

Sometimes the best place to find a replacement is right on the same team. Someone has to occupy that space, right? For the Vikings, that will be Josh Oliver.

Oliver is not a high-volume guy in this Minnesota offense and the team could mix in Johnny Mundt as well, but he should be the primary option and with Hockenson out of the game this past Sunday, he caught three passes for 32 yards.

A third-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, Oliver has never had a chance to live up to that potential with the Jags and Baltimore Ravens. But his 19 receptions this season are already a career high and with Nick Mullens at quarterback, he could look his way often as the two likely have a lot of familiarity with one another having both been backups.

The Vikings will play the Packers in Week 17 and Green Bay has not defended well against tight ends this season as only six teams have allowed more fantasy points to the position.

Though you would have to be in a real bind to be considering Oliver this week, he could become an incredibly good Hail Mary option for the last game of the season.