ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions ignored their relatively recent history when it came to drafting tight ends and focused on the future. Detroit addressed perhaps its top priority, selecting Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson with the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night. The Lions were initially interested in trading their first-round pick to acquire more selections, but decided he was too good to pass up.

As the league shifts to passing more, tight ends are becoming a position where teams want difference-makers. “It’s become a valued position,” Hockenson said before the draft. “A three-down tight end who can run past defenders when needed and block when needed is special.”

The 6-foot-5, 251-pound Hockenson won the John Mackey Award last year, honoring the college football’s top tight end. Hockenson had 73 receptions for 1,080 yards and nine receiving touchdowns in his career with the Hawkeyes.

Hockenson, who is from Chariton, Iowa, was a second-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten player last season. He led Iowa with 760 yards receiving and was second on the team with 49 receptions and six touchdowns.