Eric Ebron scouting report

To wrap up the 2014 NFL Draft, we are going to take an in-depth look at each Detroit Lions pick. First up is Eric Ebron.

TE Eric Ebron (North Carolina) - Round 1, Pick No. 10

With a trade not developing and many of the top prospects already off the board, the Lions used the 10th overall pick to select North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron. The pick took many by surprise because Ebron is technically listed as a tight end, but the Lions have plans to use him as much more than that.

Measurables

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 250 pounds

Stats

2011: 10 catches, 207 yards, 1 TD
2012: 40 catches, 625 yards, 4 TD
2013: 62 catches, 973 yards, 3 TD

Random fact

Before he was selected in the first round by the Lions, Ebron got engaged to his girlfriend at the top of the Empire State Building in New York City.

What the experts are saying

SB Nation:

With Ebron, there is a lot to like. He's a speedy tight end with big play ability. He fits the mold of the modern tight end. But that's not to say he's without flaws. Ebron's hands at times are questionable and he's not a finished product as a tight end. But his speed and athleticism trump any concerns and make Ebron the best tight end in the 2014 NFL Draft.

NFL.com:

Highly athletic, highly productive "F" tight end loaded with upside and mismatch capability. Possesses the speed, movement skills, hands and run-after-catch skills to emerge as a playmaking weapon in the pros, though has room to continue developing as a blocker.

CBS Sports:

COMPARES TO: Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers - Freaky athletic specimens, both Ebron and Davis move like wide receivers, but have the size and length of tight ends to create mismatches in coverage.

ESPN:

Ebron isn't a powerful blocker. He dropped too many passes last year, and his effort is inconsistent, yet he's a good value pick at this point in the first round, and the reason is he's a dangerous receiver. He has the speed to stretch the field and body control to make plays downfield, plus the burst and wiggle to produce after the catch. He's also a nightmare matchup for defensive coordinators. If you try to match up with a linebacker, he can separate underneath or get behind the coverage. If you try to match up with a safety, he does a nice job of getting inside leverage and using his frame to box out.

Videos

More:

• Barry Sanders announces Ebron pick
• Ebron vs. Cincinnati (2013)
• Ebron vs. East Carolina (2013)
• Ebron vs. Georgia Tech (2013)
• Ebron vs. Pittsburgh (2013)
• Ebron vs. Virginia Tech (2013)
• Ebron vs. Maryland (2012)
• Ebron vs. Miami (2012)
• Ebron vs. NC State (2012)
• One-handed catch vs. Miami
• One-handed touchdown catch vs. Georgia Tech
• 6-yard touchdown catch vs. Virginia Tech
• 6-yard touchdown catch vs. Wake Forest
• 79-yard catch vs. Duke
• Combine workout
• Ebron on Sport Science
• Interview from red carpet at NFL Draft
• Interview with WXYZ
• Interview at NFL Combine
• Interview on FOX Football Daily
• Interview on NFL Total Access

Outlook for 2014

Ebron is going to be a big part of the Lions' new-look offense. They will likely move him all over the field, using him as a traditional tight end at times but also lining him up in the slot and out wide as a receiver. More than anything, the hope for Ebron is that he will help open things up a bit more for Calvin Johnson and become a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.