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The 10 biggest draft busts in Detroit Lions history

By Brad Berreman

Andre Ware, Detroit Lions (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
Andre Ware, Detroit Lions (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /

8. TE Eric Ebron

The Lions made Ebron the 10th overall pick in the 2014 draft, then saw him deliver 25 catches for less than 250 yards as a rookie. The team cut bait on him after four seasons, then watched from afar as he set a (fool’s gold) career-high with 13 touchdowns for the Indianapolis Colts in 2018.

As much of a dud as Ebron was, his place on this list is fortified by who was drafted after him (Odell Beckham Jr., Aaron Donald, Zack Martin, even Brandin Cooks).

7. TE Brandon Pettigrew

The Lions immediately added a weapon for Matthew Stafford with their second first-rounder in that 2009 draft (No. 20 overall).

Pettigrew had back-to-back 70-plus catch seasons in 2010 and 2011, but his production slowly faded, culiminating in 17 total receptions over his final two seasons (2014 and 2015, 22 total games) after Ebron was drafted to replace him.

Percy Harvin is the most notable 2009 first-round pick drafted after Pettigrew, but that was a huge missed opportunity for the Lions.

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