Lions sign former Washington tight end Hunter Bryant

Hunter Bryant was one of the biggest surprise undrafted players, but he’s got a home now. The former Washington Huskies tight end has signed a free agent contract with the Lions, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link).

Bryant got $60,000 in guaranteed cash from Detroit, which includes a $20,000 signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Bryant was seen as one of the better tight ends in the class by many and was universally expected to get drafted. He went toward the top of the fourth round in Matt Miller of Bleacher Report’s final mock draft.

Apparently medical concerns caused Bryant to slip, and considering knee-injury history, that’s not too surprising. He was limited to nine games as a freshman and only five as a sophomore. In his junior season in 2019, he racked up 825 receiving yards, the third-most of any tight end in the country.

Detroit currently has 2019 first-round pick T.J. Hockenson and veteran Jesse James at the position, but Bryant should have a good chance at becoming the Lions' third tight end.