ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions on Friday announced the signing of tight end James Mitchell.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press and Over The Cap reported that Mitchell, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick out of Virginia Tech, received a slotted deal worth $3.9 million over four years and a $285,548 signing bonus.
A slotted deal is based on where a player was picked in the NFL draft order. The Lions selected the Big Stone Gap native in the fifth round — the 177th pick overall — in last month’s draft.
Mitchell’s final season with the Hokies was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL in the second game of the season. He finished his career in Blacksburg with 52 receptions for 838 yards and seven touchdowns.
Also on Friday, the day the Lions kicked off their three- day rookie minicamp, the team said No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, a defensive end out of Michigan, signed a $35.7 million, four-year contract that includes a $23.15 million signing bonus.
The Lions also signed 12th overall selection Jameson Williams, the standout wide receiver from Alabama who injured his knee late in the season, Illinois safety Kerby Joseph, Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, Jackson State edge rusher James Houston and Arizona State cornerback Chase Lucas.
Heard y’all were looking for these 👀 pic.twitter.com/yml1bCqZzi
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 13, 2022
Mitchell was wearing No. 82, his college number, for the start of the rookie camp, though the Lions said all rookie numbers are subject to change.
