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Detroit Lions fans no longer have to complain about Eric Ebron dropping passes, because the team announced Wednesday they cut their former first-round pick (No. 10 overall) from the 2014 Draft. The Detroit Free Press reports the Lions tried to trade Ebron before making the move, but ultimately released him and saved $8.25 million in the process.
#Lions announced today that they have released TE Eric Ebron. pic.twitter.com/hmaRniJrRK
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 14, 2018
The tight end out of North Carolina played in 16 games last season and tallied 574 yards and four touchdowns. He actually did log some huge games to end the season against the Buccaneers and Bengals — though his early-round selection is seen as a colossal failure when looking at the All-Pros (Odell Beckham, Aaron Donald, etc.) who were scooped up right after him in that draft:
Let’s all agree to just not mention the players who were taken directly after Eric Ebron in the 2014 NFL Draf— OOOOOOH NOOOOOO. pic.twitter.com/FppEwWvUPW
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 14, 2018
Are you an NFL GM thinking about reaching for a tight end with a top-10 pick? Maybe take in at that image for a good minute.
Ebron’s case of the drops got so bad during his tenure that fans came up with a Simon & Garfunkel parody song to deal with the agony:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB66FQcUgLc&w=560&h=315]
However, this move might not be cause for celebration given the Lions are now lacking in the tight end department (they also lost Darren Fells to the Browns). Plus statistics seem to indicate Ebron, just 24, might not be as bad as advertised…
Most tight end receptions through their Age 24 season, NFL history:
1. Tony Gonzalez (261)
2. Jason Witten (252)
3. Rob Gronkowski (226)
4. Kellen Winslow (202)
5. Eric Ebron (186)— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) March 14, 2018
Lots of people talking about Ebron's drops. Drops is an overrated statistic, but if you want to play that game:
Last year, among the 26 tight ends with 50+ targets, Ebron was 14th in drop rate. Meaning 13 of those tight ends had a higher drop rate. Improved dramatically in 2017.
— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) March 14, 2018
Five TEs have accumulated 185+ catches, 2000+ yards, and 10+ TDs through their age 24 seasons. Four are/will be Hall of Famers.
Kellen Winslow
Rob Gronkowski
Tony Gonzalez
Jason Witten
Eric Ebron— Pat Thorman (@Pat_Thorman) February 21, 2018
