With the rest of the 2014 draft class sign sealed and delivered the Lions finally got their first round pick Eric Ebron inked to his rookie deal with the team. According to reports, Ebron the Lions’ 10th overall TE selection out of North Carolina signed a four-year deal with a team option for a fifth.
The teams new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi (who came over from New Orleans) says the team will use Ebron similar to how the Saints used Jimmy Graham:
“There are some things that we did with Jimmy in New Orleans that we will be able to do with Eric and maybe some things we can do with Eric that we didn’t do with Jimmy,” Lombardi said, via the team’s website. “They are both unique but [Ebron] is going to have a pretty big role in what we plan on doing.” (ProFootballTalk.com)
After 112 catches for 1,805 yards and eight touchdowns during his career with the Tar Heels, the Lions pulled the trigger on Ebron after being unable to nail down Sammy Watkins this past May. Perhaps a panic move on Mayhew’s part, Ebron joins WR Golden Tate as the Lions’ more notable offseason offensive additions giving Matthew Stafford zero excuses heading into 2014.