It just has to be the right one.
You probably felt your eye twitch just reading that headline. Maybe you are still shaking your head (or fist) at this point. If you enjoy overreacting, you might need to fix/buy a new computer or phone. I get it. Drafting a tight end in the first round is not good value. And yes, the Lions have drafted two first-round tight ends since 2009, so a third would be tough to swallow. But there’s more than a few reasons to do so, even if your first reaction is to close your eyes and ears and hum loudly the theme song to The Cleveland Show. Just know, it is a real possibility.
Before we get into those reasons, let’s address the elephant with untapped potential in the room: Eric Ebron is a good receiver. So far in his career, he has not lived up to the top 15 pick that he was. That much is true. That does not mean, however, that he is a bust, or somehow a bad player because he hasn’t had the astronomical impact promised. He drops too many easy catches, isn’t the red zone threat that he could be, and is not a good blocker by any means. Ebron is also a top 10 tight end in the NFL.
Blasphemy! Heathen! Other old biblical words!
Among qualified tight ends in 2016, Eric Ebron finished 10th in the NFL in receptions, 8th in yards, 7th in yards per game, 10th in 20+ yard receptions, and 8th in total first down receptions (all stats via NFL.com). Ebron also has accrued better stats in each of his three seasons so far. By almost any measure, the 4th year tight end is a valuable asset to this Detroit Lions team.
So, why draft another in the first round?
Well, as discussed earlier, Ebron has many flaws. One of those most glaring flaws is that he, well, isn’t really a tight end. Expecting him to do traditional tight end things will end up with you, yet again, breaking something in your home. Ebron’s best block of last year ended up with him flat on his ass. But at least it worked.
Ebron is a receiver. Just like Jimmy Graham and Vernon Davis before him, his skill set is suited to play off the line more so than on it. If Anquan Boldin decides to play elsewhere (doubtful) or hang up his cleats, (possible) then the slot receiver position becomes a dire need. Andre Roberts is a capable 4th wideout, but asking him to play the Boldin role would end up disastrous. TJ Jones has shown brief glimpses of good play, but is more likely to end up on another team than contribute heavily in 2017. Jace Billingsley simply isn’t ready for that role yet. Eric Ebron can take over that role.
The Lions have many needs this year, and most of them are on the opposite side of the ball. I would argue that defensive end, defensive tackle, and linebacker are much more pressing needs than tight end. But after that? A tight end who can both block and catch might be the next highest.
39% of the time, the #Lions had a TE not named Ebron on the field in 2016. Need depth, need blocking TE and, yes, 2 TE sets. https://t.co/XaoTzex8BD
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) March 4, 2017
That is too many snaps for future Detroit Lions trivia questions Cole Wick, Matthew Mulligan, and Clay Harbor. A prospect such as OJ Howard would immediately shelve the litany of failed attempts to Band-Aid over the number two tight end position. And yes, he will certainly cost a first round pick. Howard just ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at 6’6 and 242 pounds.
People will remember his eye-opening 2015 National Championship game, where he exploded for 208 yards and two touchdowns; 35% of his yards that season. But he is much more than just a pass-catcher, and projects to be at least a Brandon Pettigrew level of blocker. The Lions need someone like that. If they strike out or balk on a tight end in free agency (and really, there’s maybe one realistic upgrade out there in and Dion Sims) then the draft could seem more realistic.
As I am sure you have heard by now, Bob Quinn was with the Patriots as a high-level decision maker when they attacked defenses with two extremely capable tight ends in Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. This, however, does not mean that Quinn is nailed-on to draft a tight end high. Not everything the Patriots did back then is going to directly translate to the Lions. But it might, so be ready for it.
In the end, drafting another tight end in the first round would make the Lions front office seem unhinged and utterly clueless, but only if you aren’t paying attention. Is it the most glaring need for a team that finished dead last in defensive DVOA last year? Not by any means. Yet, confoundingly, it remains a big need. Just because past regimes have failed at solidifying the position doesn’t mean that this one will. Embrace the possible madness.
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