Detroit Lions: Position by position breakdown of the 53-man roster
By Reuben Gasee
Tight Ends
- T.J. Hockenson #88
- Jesse James #83
- Hunter Bryant #86
The Lions have three tight ends on their roster, a sophomore in T.J. Hockenson, a veteran in Jesse James and a rookie in Hunter Bryant.
Hockenson showed glimpses of the potential he has in his rookie year. In Week 1, he got 131 yards on six catches with a touchdown. On the 2019 season as a whole, he caught 32 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games until he went down with an ankle injury.
In his first year in Detroit, James was a lost cause as he averaged a catch a game while getting only 142 reception yards and not being found in the endzone once. James acknowledged that he understood what went wrong last year. And that he’s worked with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell on how he can improve as well as contribute to the team in a better way this season.
The Lions signed Bryant as an undrafted free agent after no one took him in the draft. Many are saying that the Lions got a hidden gem in Bryant as he’s viewed as a threat in the passing attack and was having a good camp until a hamstring injury put him on the sidelines.
Hockenson is set to take a big leap in his second year in the league.And if James struggles again, the coaching staff should have no problem giving second-string tight end duties to Bryant. Regardless, all tight ends should see action and contribute in both the passing game and as blockers.