Name: Eric Ebron
Position: Tight End
College: North Carolina
How Eric Ebron Meets Team Needs
The Buffalo Bills might have retained Scott Chandler on a two-year, $4.75 million contract this offseason, but they are going to be in the market for a young tight end option to pair up with E.J. Manuel moving forward. Chandler did put up nearly 700 receiving yards last season. He's a consistent threat in the passing game, yet does not provide that added athleticism that we see from the new breed of tight ends around the NFL.
In addition to retaining Chandler, Buffalo just recently traded for the enigmatic Mike Williams, who wore out his welcome with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after just four seasons. Williams topped out at 996 receiving yards in 2012 before an injury-plagued season saw him start just six outings and catch 22 passes last year. When healthy and out of trouble, Williams is a starter-caliber receiver in the NFL. He will team up with Stevie Johnson, Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin to form a stellar receiving group in Buffalo. Now think about Ebron added to a unit that already possesses a dominating running back tandem in C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. That's a scary thought for opposing AFC East defenses.
Impact as a Rookie
With all due respect to Chandler, this youngster would take over the starting role immediately in Buffalo. Where the Bills might go with more two tight end sets than in previous seasons, there wouldn't be much competition in training camp. You simply don't spend a top-10 pick on a tight end without expecting him to make an immediate impact as a starter.
Ebron would be that impact player.
His dominance in terms of size, hands and athleticism would make him an instant red-zone threat for Manuel out of the gate. Think something to the tune of what we saw from Kellen Winslow Jr. during his first full season with the Cleveland Browns back in 2005. If starting out of the gate, there would be no reason to believe that Ebron can't put up 900-plus yards and seven-plus touchdowns.
What Eric Ebron Does Well
Athleticism, athleticism and more athleticism. Ebron ran a 4.60 40-yard dash at the combine, which is pretty much the same numbers that Mike Evans, Marqise Lee, Kelvin Benjamin and Allen Robinson put up. Those four receivers are projected to be early-round picks in May. That just goes to show you the speed that Ebron possesses from the tight end position.
It's not just the speed that makes Ebron an elite prospect. His first and second level acceleration is what proves to us that he can be dominant against linebackers, slot corners and safeties at the next level. The North Carolina product also boasts above-average route-running skills and is strong out of his breaks. He can run the fade, comeback and slant all at equal footing. This is absolutely huge, especially for potential production out of the gate.
Ebron can line up in the slot, off the tackle and outside. In all three cases, he's a mismatch waiting to happen. Outside corners won't pose too much of a threat at the POC, slot guys can't go up physically with him and safeties/linebackers don't possess enough athletlcism. Ebron is a true rare breed in the form of Vernon Davis and Jimmy Graham. He's also an effort blocker.
What Eric Ebron Struggles With
While he's a willing blocker, Ebron doesn't play with enough physicality and can be pushed off at the POC by stronger defenders. He needs to actually play up to his frame in order to be a true all-around tight end at the next level. In addition to this, Ebron is only of average height, meaning he needs to do a better job actually making plays on contested balls.
If you notice the tape, most of Ebron's drops are due to a lack of focus. He lets the ball go to his body too often, which is a recipe for disaster against NFL defenders that do a good job jarring the ball loose.