Will the Seahawks select a Washington Husky in 3rd straight year?

After taking Will Dissly in 2018 and Ben Burr-Kirven in 2019, will the Seattle Seahawks select someone from UW again in the 2020 NFL draft?

For a long time, the Seattle Seahawks did not select players from nearby University of Washington in the NFL draft.

Then, a few years into the Chris Petersen era out on Montlake, the Huskies started churning out quality NFL talent – and Pete Carroll and his squad got in on the action.

The Seahawks have been thrilled with the performance of Will Dissly, a 2018 fourth round pick who began his career at UW at defensive end but transitioned to tight end for his final few years.

Dissly was joined by another teammate, linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, who the Seahawks nabbed in the fifth round in 2019.

While BBK was a reserve linebacker and core special teamer last season, the Seahawks view him as a key piece for the future and have been very happy with their two recent UW draft picks.

The question now is if Seattle will target anyone else from UW for the 2020 draft. While there are plenty of talented players from Washington expected to go in the first few rounds, the two most notable players (tight end Hunter Bryant and quarterback Jacob Eason) don’t play positions of need for the Seahawks, leaving them with fewer options to choose from.

However, there are still three players the Seahawks could pursue, including a pair of offensive linemen and a defensive back that all could be good fits for Carroll and company.

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Prospect for the Pack: Washington TE Hunter Bryant

Breaking down the draft profile of Washington TE Hunter Bryant, a potential pick for the Packers in the 2020 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.

Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.

Up next is Washington tight end Hunter Bryant:

What he can do

– Played several different positions, including inline, in the slot, H-back and fullback. Definitely a “move” tight end

– Not really big, fast or explosive. Only 6-2. Not a big jumper. Difficult to project how he’ll win consistently at the next level

– Won against linebackers and safeties for catches from the slot. Almost all his receiving production came split out as a receiver

– Reps in the slot allowed consistently free releases. Almost never dealt with press. That will change at the next level

– Good after the catch. Brings physicality and plus balance to contact situations

– Limited production in contested catch situations. Caught only three in tight coverage in 2019, per PFF. Still showed good body control and focus making catches away from the body

– Didn’t really run away from coverage and didn’t show impressive burst off the ball or in and out of routes. Separation could be a major problem against better athletes

– A “get in the way” type of blocker. Not physical at all as an inline tight end. Can get easily overwhelmed at the point of attack. Blocks are shed with ease. Did his best blocking on the move

– Don’t ask him to block edge rushers, ever

– Strong tracking the ball downfield and will attack it in the air

– Too many double-catches. He has big hands, but they don’t always catch it clean

– Made a crazy one-handed catch in 2018 vs. Ohio State

– History of significant knee injuries (ACL, MCL, meniscus)

How he fits

The Packers will add a tight end this offseason, whether it’s through a big free-agent signing or a draft pick in April. Many consider Bryant to be one of the best tight ends in a shallow and talent-lacking class at the position. He has obvious upside in the passing game as a move tight end, possibly even as a “big” slot receiver type. The Packers offense under Matt LaFleur prefers versatile tight ends who can play several different roles. It’s unclear what role will suit Bryant best in the NFL, but the Washington offense gave him plenty of experience doing a bunch of different things in 2019.

NFL comp

Former Packers tight end D.J. Williams. Like Williams, Bryant produced as a receiver at the collegiate level but has a difficult projection to the next level. Both lack the size and athleticism to fit into a specific role but have attractive versatility. Gerald Everett of the Los Angeles Rams is another common comp.

Where Packers could get him

Likely on Day 2. No tight end in the class looks like a first-round pick. It’s possible Bryant will be available to the Packers at both No. 62 and No. 94.

Previous Prospects for the Pack

WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
WR Laviska Shenault
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa

2020 NFL draft: TE Hunter Bryant NFL draft profile

Steelers Wire draft profile featuring tight end Hunter Bryant (Washington Huskies)

A product of his hometown Washington Huskies, Hunter Bryant enjoyed an All-American caliber season in 2019 with 52 catches, 825 yards, and three touchdowns. He sorely needed it as his freshman and sophomore seasons were riddled with knee injuries.

When healthy, the hybrid receiver/tight end can pose problems for defenders. Bryant can bust seams to outrun linebackers before he explodes into routes. His speed allows him to weave around tacklers for YAC. Bryant’s ball skills earned him an average of 16.4 yards per catch in college, and he hopes to carry that over to the pros.

Hunter Bryant | TE | University of Washington

Height | 6-2

Weight | 239

Class | Junior

College Bio

Career Stats

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been unsuccessful in the pursuit of their next Heath Miller. If the Steelers are willing to take a gamble with Bryants’ injury history, he could end up paying dividends. There’s no definitive answer on whether they will take the $7.127 million cap hit and keep Vance McDonald or decline the $5.5 million option and move on.

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2020 NFL draft: Hunter Bryant scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Washington tight end prospect Hunter Bryant

Hunter Bryant | TE | Washington

Elevator Pitch

Bryant is one of the top tight ends in the upcoming NFL draft class. He isn’t your grandfather’s type of tight end, but more of a big slot receiver in the body of a tight end. Bryant is an absolute weapon in the passing game, if you are looking for a pass catching threat then this Bryant is for you. Get him running up the seams and let the man work.

Vitals

Height | 6-2

Weight | 248

Class | Junior

College Stats

College Bio

Combine Profile

Strengths

In today’s NFL, it is less about set roles and more about the matchups. Bryant provides the opportunity to get a favorable matchup in the passing game. He can be too powerful for smaller defensive backs to deal with and too quick for most linebackers.

Bryant possesses good hands at the position. He uses his big mitts well to pluck the ball out of the air and does a good job of catching the ball outside of his frame. Going above defensive backs poses no issue as Bryant will use every bit of his 76 1/2″ wingspan to his advantage. When matched up with smaller defenders, using his frame to “box them out” is just another way he wins.

Once Bryant gets the ball in his hands, defenders beware. One of his best qualities is the ability to get yards after the catch. His 4.74 speed will be on full display. His burst off the line and coming in and out of breaks gives him ample opportunity to create space needed for long runs after the catch. Two of his three touchdowns came on receptions of 20+ yards.

Weaknesses

Playing as an inline tight end is a big part of what Bryant needs the most work on at the next level. He really gives you nothing when asked to block and open holes in the run game. Blocking on the perimeter isn’t much better. Asking him to participate in blocking is a waste of his talent until he works on technique.

Given his size, you would expect him to be more physical. Working with strength coaches and a position coach will be crucial. Despite instances of brilliance with contested catches, Bryant needs to be more consistent. His production could be a concern, but he has shown that he can be a viable target up the seams.

Projection: Top 100

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2020 NFL Combine: Winners from the TE group

Overall, the tight ends group underwhelmed on the day but a few players stood out and likely separated themselves from the pack.

The 2020 NFL Combine opened their on-field drills with the tight ends group. The group began, as always, with the 40-yard-dash, but when they shifted into position drills, we were introduced to a few new drills.

Overall the group underwhelmed, and with the Lions investing heavily at the position last offseason, it would be surprising if they selected a tight end from this year’s class before the later part of Day 3.

Let’s take a look at those who did earn positive marks today.

Adam Trautman, Dayton, 6-5, 255

In the mix to potentially be the first tight end selected, Trautman ran a middle-of-the-road 4.75 40-yard-dash but looked sharp in drills — including a new blocking sled drill, where he may have been the only player to use proper technique. As one of the more balanced tight ends in the class, he will likely be selected before the Lions start looking at the position.

Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri, 6-5.5, 258

Entering the season Okwuegbunam was discussed as the potential top tight end in this class, but an underwhelming redshirt junior season that saw him put up a career-low statistical season quieted the hype around him.

The hype started back up today after he ran an official 4.49 40-yard-dash (no other tight end ran under 4.60). But, when they shifted on-field, his speed slowed in favor of improving his catch accuracy, which will leave scouts wondering if he actually plays as fast as he can run in a straight line.

Stephen Sullivan, LSU, 6-5, 248

Sullivan’s 4.66 40–yard-dash was a solid score, but when he got on the field, it was no surprise that the former wide receiver stood out in the pass-catching drills. At LSU, he took a backseat in production to Thaddeus Moss, but with the NFL’s desire to add more mismatch move tight ends, his stock could be on the rise. If the Lions don’t bring back Logan Thomas — or find his replacement in free agency — Sullivan could be a late-round target.

Notes:

Moss (6-2, 250, LSU) was flagged with a broken foot during medicals and was not cleared to participate.
Cole Kmet (6-6, 262, Notre Dame), who may challenge Trautman for top honors, didn’t do enough to stand out.
Hunter Bryant (6-2, 248, Washington) was expected to fly based on his game tape, but his 4.73 40-yard-dash, while respectable, was slower than expected.

UW TE Hunter Bryant shares deep affinity for Tom Brady and the Patriots system

“Just because he’s the G.O.A.T. He’s the best whose ever done it.”

One of the draft’s top tight ends had the New England Patriots on his mind during a meeting with the media on Tuesday at the 2020 NFL combine in Indianapolis. Washington tight end Hunter Bryant was in deep admiration of New England — and its quarterback.

Bryant was asked: If he could catch a pass from any signal-caller in NFL history, who would it be?

“Probably Tom Brady. Just because he’s the G.O.A.T. He’s the best who’s ever done it,” Bryant said. “He’s a great competitor. And I like just how knowledgeable he is about the game, and I have a lot of respect for him.”

As good as Brady is with ball placement and timing, he’s not an easy man to catch the ball from. He demands a tremendous amount of preparation and knowledge from his pass-catchers, and he requires tight ends and receivers to have a thorough knowledge of New England’s playbook — and that of its opponent. Brady’s incessant adjustments and checks at the line of scrimmage can test a young pass-catcher’s aptitude for the game. And if Brady changes a player’s route — or the whole play — then a youngster may find himself in the wrong place, where he’ll draw Brady’s ire and definitely not a target. Bryant, however, said he feels prepared for an offense which might challenge him mentally.

“At UW, we had to do that a lot at the tight end position,” Bryant said. “We had to know what blitzes were coming, what coverages they were in. I kind of got a jumpstart on it, just because our offense is pro-style.”

He said he’s spent a great deal of time at the whiteboard with teams during informal interviews, where he had a chance to show his knowledge of the game. The tests focused on his knowledge of his playbook at Washington while also introducing new concepts to see what he could absorb — and how quickly. When he met with the media on Tuesday, he didn’t know which teams were scheduled for a formal meeting, but he had spoken with Patriots staffers. Bryant showed appreciation for how Bill Belichick has used tight ends in the Patriots’ scheme.

“I like the Patriots a lot and how they implement them, when they had Gronk and even (Aaron) Hernandez back with what he was doing — on the field, at least. They were an elite duo, and they used them a lot and they were both very good at what they do,” Bryant said.

Martellus Bennett also enjoyed significant success with New England, but the Patriots’ tight end position looks lackluster since Rob Gronkowski retired. They may look to bring youth and talent to the position in the 2020 NFL Draft, and it sounds like Bryant, a potential first-round pick, thinks of himself as a good fit for New England.

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2020 NFL Draft: 7 possible targets for Falcons in 2nd round

The Falcons have their work cut out for them this offseason with potentially three starters leaving in free agency.

The Falcons have their work cut out for them this offseason with potentially three starters leaving in free agency. Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and tight end Austin Hooper could be too pricey for Atlanta to bring back, plus the team has already said it will not retain defensive end Vic Beasley.

We’ve looked at some different options for the Falcons at pick No. 16, so today we will examine seven players they could target with their two second-round picks in the 2020 draft.

Zack Moss, RB, Utah

2019 Stats: 235 rushes, 1,416 yards, 15 TDs; 28 catches, 388 yards, 2 TDs

Analysis: Utah’s Zack Moss is rising up draft boards, even drawing comparisons to Marshawn Lynch. He’s a ferocious runner that has good vision and is tough to bring down. Moss had a wildly productive 2019 season, averaging 6.0 yards per carry and scoring 17 total touchdowns. If Atlanta releases Devonta Freeman, Moss would be a good option if he’s available in the second.

Video: Moss (No. 2) rushes for 131 yards against Oregon below:

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NFL Combine: Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet Measures out Massively

Not a surprise at all but Kmet measured out as a massive human being compared to his tight end peers at the start of the combine.

Notre Dame and St. Viator High School (Arlington Heights, Illinois) product Cole Kmet met the NFL world officially Monday morning at the NFL Combine, weighing in and getting sized up in front of the masses.

Kmet is seen by most as the best tight end in the draft and at worst, some rank him second. Not a surprise at all but Kmet measured out as a massive human being compared to his tight end peers at the start of the combine.

Cole Kmet’s Measureables:
Height – 6-5 2/8″
Weight – 262 pounds
Hands – 10 4/8″
Arms – 33″
Wingspan – 79″

As we know by watching him Kmet is clearly a large piece of furniture to have to move. Here’s how he stacks up, or past, compared to two of the other highest regarded tight ends in the 2020 NFL Draft:

Hunter Bryant of Washington:
Height – 6-2 2/8″
Weight – 248 pounds
Hands – 10″ right hand, 10 3/8″ left hand
Arms – 32″
Wingspan – 76 4/8″

Brycen Hopkins of Purdue:
Height – 6-3 7/8″
Weight – 245 pounds
Hands – 10 1/8″
Arms – 32 1/8″
Wingspan – 76″

As you can see he’s bigger than his biggest competition to be the first overall tight end taken in this draft. The question this week isn’t so much is he the best tight end prospect in this draft but it’s more about if Kmet’s workouts mirror that and make him that much better of a prospect than any other at the position.

A great work out can make his value appear that much better and increase his chances as a the first rounder. A workout more on the level with Hopkins, Bryant or others and be may still be seen as the top tight end prospect but the need to take him considerably ahead of the others wouldn’t be there.

Here’s to hoping Kmet rips up the workouts this weekend.

10 offensive prospects for Patriots to watch at the 2020 NFL combine

QBs, WRs, TEs and more.

The New England Patriots need offensive weapons after a down year. Quarterback Tom Brady had one of his worst statistical seasons in just about every passing category. And so as he is set to enter free agency, he seems to be patiently waiting for New England to signal it is going to prioritize helping him this offseason.

That will surely start in free agency, when the Patriots will be attempting to re-sign Brady while adding a handful of other skill players. But it will continue in the 2020 NFL Draft. So with the NFL combine taking place in Indianapolis this week, here are some offensive skill players who may interest the Patriots.

1. Jordan Love, QB, Utah

The quarterback is so physically talented that he’s likely to be off the board when the Patriots pick. But in the event he falls within range of a trade — or even surprisingly to New England at 23rd overall — then the Patriots best be prepared. Love’s talent isn’t in question, but the Patriots will want to run him through a thorough examination of his mental aptitude and his ability to take coaching. He’s got a lot of upside, but in order to reach his full potential, he needs to prove himself a type of player who the Patriots can mold. And surely, he’ll need to address his marijuana possession charge in December.

2. Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

There’s significant character questions about Eason and his maturity, per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. Can Eason assuage those concerns this week?

3. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia

I pegged Fromm as a strong candidate for New England, though it’s not totally clear where he might fall in the draft. Perhaps the Patriots would be so bold as to take him in the first round. Perhaps they’d be willing to trade back in the second round to take him there. He’s not like Love — Fromm doesn’t have physical gifts that wow. But he has been a solid starter for three years at Georgia, and has delivered big wins throughout his career against some of the SEC’s top defenses. That goes a long way in Bill Belichick’s evaluation of a player. Perhaps poise and accuracy can help Fromm take the next step in the NFL, even without the strongest arm in his draft class.

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Who and what to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine: Tight ends

The Lions Wire staff has identified which tight ends Detroit Lions fans should be watching at the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis and the tight ends group will take the field on opening day. Adding a tight end won’t be a priority for the Lions this offseason — beyond possibly a third option — but it’s always good to scout the competition.

This is the latest in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

If you missed the previous articles in this series, be sure to check out our quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers previews.

Tight end traits to evaluate

Like with the wide receivers group, scouts will be focused on several traits that revolve around pass-catching and movement:

Natural hands: Do they fight the ball or allow it to land softly in their grasp?
Acceleration in and out of breaks: Do they throttle down, or can they maintain speed?
Quickness versus long speed: where do they gain separation?
Body control: Being fast is great but it means nothing unless they can maintain balance and focus.
Ball tracking: Do they have the patience to look late and still locate? Do they maximize their speed by not reaching early?

Cole Kmet, Notre Dame

Suggested by: Max Gerber

A two-sport athlete at Notre Dame (baseball), Kmet is a balanced tight end who is likely to find more success as a pass-catcher in the NFL. He is one of the more NFL ready tight ends in this class despite still have some areas of his game that need to be improved.

Adam Trautman, Dayton

Suggested by: Bryce Rossler, Derek Okrie, and Matt Urben

Trautman may have the highest upside at the position in this class but coming from a small school there will be some learning curve involved as he transitions to the NFL. The Elk Rapids, Michigan native grew up playing quarterback but his natural athleticism made the transition to tight end a smooth one. He’s a big target in the passing game and can handle a large volume of work.

Hunter Bryant, Washington

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff

Bryant is a move tight end who will spend the majority of his time trying to create mismatches in the slot. His athleticism shines when the ball is in the air or after the reception when it’s in his hands, as he routinely generates yards after the catch. His height (est. 6-2) and lack of impactful blocking skills will limit the schemes he will be successful in, but the right fit could be magical.

Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon

This past season’s Mackey Award winner (the nation’s top tight end), Bryant is an athletic pass catcher whose experience is in the slot, but he can also survive occasionally setting up inline. He has the potential to produce at all three levels but he has a few things to clean up in his route precision in order to find consistent success.

Devin Asiasi, UCLA

Suggested by: Erik Schlitt and Scott Warheit

Asiasi was heavily recruited by Michigan, but after a brief stint with the Wolverines, he transferred back home to UCLA. The moves across the country slowed his development and with him being an early entrant into the draft, he only has one-year starting experience for analysts to evaluate. He has NFL traits, and will mostly find success in the short and intermediate areas, but he will need to improve his blocking if he wants to see the field as a TE2 or TE3.

Thad Moss, LSU

Suggested by: Zack Moran and Ty Finch

The son of NFL Hall-of-Famer Randy Moss, Thad Moss only has one-year starting under his belt due to a transfer from North Carolina State, two-foot surgeries, and declaring early for the NFL Draft. In LSU’s dynamic offense, despite a loaded roster, Moss managed to secure 47 receptions for 570 yards and four touchdowns — two of which came in the National Championship game. Despite his limited starting experience, Moss’ blocking is a plus and will help him carve out an early role as reserve/role tight end.

Steven Sullivan, LSU

Suggested by: Sonja Greenfield

While Moss was the Tigers balanced tight end option, Sullivan was slated more in the pass-catching/big slot receiver role. Despite his role, he only had about 25-percent the production Moss had last season, as LSU favored wide receivers over a bigger body with limited blocking experience. This same situation is likely to follow him to the NFL and will limit his suitors. He showed well at Senior Bowl practices, illustrating his upside, and he will need to continue to showcase those traits to prove he was a hidden gem on a loaded LSU roster.