Fantasy Football: Five Sleepers to Target

TE: Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions

Dec 7, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (85) makes a catch during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Eric Ebron entered the NFL with a ton of promise. Unfortunately, his rookie season left plenty to be desired, as Ebron totaled 25 receptions for 248 yards and one touchdown.

Ebron is a big, strong and fast tight end who has seemingly unlimited upside as a receiver at the position. His rookie season was certainly a disappointment, but rarely do rookie tight ends have much success anyway. The upside is certainly still there for Ebron, and I think he has a great chance to breakout in 2015.

Lions’ offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi joined the team last season after five years with the New Orleans Saints. He was around for the emergence and utter domination by Jimmy Graham with the Saints, and he is a good person to put Ebron in the position to do more of the same.

In fact, as a rookie with the Saints in 2010, Graham had only 31 receptions for 356 yards. It was in his second season when he emerged as a dominant player, bringing in an incredible 99 receptions for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns. I am not saying that Ebron is going to have that kind of season, but even half of it would make him a great fantasy TE option.

Ebron is still a freak athlete with similar size and speed scores as Graham. Under the guidance of Lombardi, I think he can emerge to become a serious weapon in the Lions’ passing game. The tight end position is very “hit or miss.” If you do not end up with a Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, Greg Olsen or Graham, going for upside late is the best bet.

Few tight ends have the raw ability and upside of Ebron, and he is going very late (19th TE off the board according to ESPN).

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