Eric Ebron watches the other tight ends do the vertical jump during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
North Carolina Tar Heels draft prospect Eric Ebron will most likely find himself selected with one of the top 20 picks in the 2014 NFL Draft, as he is an incredible physical specimen with top-notch athleticism, size, and speed. There aren’t many tight ends who can generate yards after the catch like Ebron, and his explosiveness and tools make up for his inconsistent hands and blocking. Ebron is a raw player who needs to work on the finer parts of his game, but his talent and upside are easy to see; he should be a difference-maker in the pros.
Some people have compared Ebron to San Francisco 49ers star tight end Vernon Davis, and the former UNC standout recently stated that Davis is indeed the player he models his game after. Ebron told SiriusXM NFL Radio’s Rich Gannon and Bruce Murray, “I would model my game after Vernon Davis since he is a well-rounded player and can do it all.”
Ebron needs to become a better blocker and more well-rounded player, so that’s a nice goal to have in mind. He does have Davis’s explosiveness, tools, and ability to stretch the field vertically at the TE position, and his physicality is also a big plus. It will be interesting to see if the New York Jets take him with the 18th pick or decide to pull a high-impact WR like Marqise Lee in the first round, because they still need another pass-catcher. Ebron would be an elite add at TE for them and would form a very good duo with solid current starter Jeff Cumberland.