The Lions announced their restricted free agent tenders this morning. Free agency opens tonight at midnight.

DE Jason Hunter was upgraded to a right of first refusal and first- and second-round tenders.

Tom Lewand, Lions president, said that obviously Hunter did a good job last year and defensive ends are valuable commodities. He expects Hunter will continue to improve by staying in the same system and getting more talent around him.

CB Kevin Hobbs and OL Daniel Loper were tendered with right of first refusal only.

S Daniel Bullocks, OL Dylan Gandy, S Ko Simpson and OL Manny Ramirez were tendered with right of first refusal and the round where they were originally drafted. All but Bullocks were fourth-round draft picks.

Bullocks, who sat out last season because of a knee injury, was a second-round pick, but is tendered at the third round. Lewand said it’s a complex situation but because Hunter was originally undrafted, they had to adjust the status of one of the others.

DE Copeland Bryan and LB Cody Spencer will not return to the team.