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Detroit Lions’ 2018 draft needs evident just six games into 2017 season

By Zac Snyder

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) Taylor Decker of Ohio State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #16 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) Taylor Decker of Ohio State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #16 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 11: Eric Ebron #85 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after the Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 39-35 at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 11: Eric Ebron #85 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after the Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 39-35 at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Tight End

The selection of Michael Roberts in the 2017 draft and hopes that Eric Ebron’s progression would continue might have kept the tight end position off this kind of list heading into the season but the first six weeks have been a splash of cold water to the face. Ebron has been one of the biggest disappointments so far this season as he has totaled just 13 catches on 26 targets for 102 yards and one touchdown. That puts his yards per game average even lower than his rookie season.

Even worse than the raw numbers, Ebron has been plagued by drops once again and he’s been passed in the passing game by Darren Fells. Whether consciously or not, Ebron has been minimized in the offense. Consider the week six loss to the New Orleans Saints. In a game in which the Lions were playing from behind and Stafford attempted 52 passes, Ebron was targeted just three times. That’s fewer targets than TJ Jones (nine), Jared Abbrederis (four) and Fells (four) saw.

At this point it is worth wondering whether it is even worth keeping Ebron on his fifth-year option. The Lions picked it up by the offseason deadline but it is guaranteed for injury only. As long as Ebron remains healthy, the Lions can walk away after the season, making him a free agent. Doing so leaves behind a hole to fill and one that Michael Roberts can’t fill.

Roberts’ career is off to a slow start but he isn’t the same kind of player as Ebron anyway. Fells has been a nice addition but was signed on a one-year deal. Either Eric Ebron turns it on after the bye week to silence the critics or tight end might actually move up this list.

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