Where will Washington football’s Hunter Bryant get drafted?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Hunter Bryant #1 of the Washington Huskies completes a 34 yard touchdown pass against the Utah Utes in the second quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Hunter Bryant #1 of the Washington Huskies completes a 34 yard touchdown pass against the Utah Utes in the second quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

One of Washington football’s biggest offensive weapons has decided to leave school early and enter his name in the NFL Draft

Over the past few seasons, Washington football has begun to make its name as TEU, and the best of the group, Hunter Bryant has decided to forgo his senior year for the NFL, which is a big blow to next year’s Husky offense, but is also not a surprising move from a potential first-rounder.

This draft class isn’t very deep at tight end, and for Bryant, a finalist for the Mackey award, this is definitely the right move on his part for the athletic, well-rounded tight end who has a very high ceiling in the NFL.

While the junior isn’t a consensus first-round pick, I have spoken to analysts within the draft world who expect him to be a big riser, and he could end up being the top tight end on some NFL team’s boards by the draft.

Bryant has put on a lot of muscle since he got to Washington, and the already excellent pass-catcher has improved immensely as a blocker, which makes him a fit for every NFL scheme. A few months ago, I called Bryant a better blocking version of New York Giants tight end Evan Engram, and that comparison holds true. Remember, Engram was picked 23rd overall.

Best Pro Fit

New England Patriots– The Patriots are in dire need of a tight end and just more weapons on offense after Rob Gronkowski retired last season, and this week they’ve seen basically zero production from the position. Investing in the position early in the draft, and in such a complete player like Bryant would make sense for the future of the team, no matter who’s playing quarterback for them.

In that offense, Bryant would probably carve out a starting role from day one, and especially in an offense that’s short on talent like New England’s currently is, he could be a major producer next season (and who wouldn’t want to play for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady?).

The Patriots will be picking in the late 20’s or possibly the 30’s, and in this particular draft class that will probably see a run on wide receivers at some point in the first round, someone definitely will take a chance on Bryant, and it’ll most likely be the Patriots.

Anything can happen between now and the draft, but Husky nation will be rooting for him no matter where he ends up!