I can't believe people are thinking that Ebron may be worth a first round rookie pick right now. If there was a startup dynasty I'd have at least 15 other TEs I'm taking before Ebron.I understand someone in the thread said rookie TEs take some time to develop, but Ebrons rookie season was historically bad. If you go find other first round selection rookie TEs that struggled in the last 5 years, I seriously doubt any of them played in an offense as prolific as Detroits passing game is. Highly doubt any of them played with a QB of Staffords caliber. The fact that he couldn't get on the field with Pettigrew in front of him speaks volumes. Also lets not forget Pettigrew was a first round pick of Detriots as well...
Maybe Ebron becomes fantasy relevant at some point, but I highly doubt it.
I am not sure what will happen with Ebron, but Stafford is an average quarterback and while Detriot passes for a lot of yards they but they don't get in the end zone through the air that often.Fleener - 26, 281 and 2
Witten 35, 347 and 1
Bennett 23, 283, and 4
Olsen 39 391 and 2
Eifert 39 445 2
Vernon Davis 20 265 and 3
Good points. I suppose Stafford has regressed over the past four seasons enough to where he is considered an average QB.
With that said - Fleener only played 12 games his rookie season (Ebron played 13 - not much difference I suppose), he was also teamed up with a rookie QB (although one he played with at college) but more importantly he was beaten out for the job by fellow TE rookie, Allen (who posted 45, 521 and 3). Witten's play was in a different era of passing metrics, as such I'd say his rookie production was much better than Ebrons. Bennett was the #2 TE behind Witten and not drafted to be some elite pass catcher - still outperformed Ebron - again, more proof that Ebron's rookie season was a disaster. Olsen/Eifert had production that is pretty significantly better than Ebron's - Eifert played 15 games, Olsen was back in 2007 - I really don't remember Chicago in that era. Was that Alex Smith throwing the ball to Vernon Davis as a rookie? Talk about a mediocre QB.
In the end I just don't see it with Ebron. I know a bunch of people compared him to Vernon Davis coming out of college, but that appeared to be more of a function on where he was drafted... Ebron had no where close to VD's measurables at the combine.
I think it's kind of pointless to sit and compare which underwhelming rookie TE season is slightly better or easier to make excuses for, the point is that there are very few TEs that put up big numbers in their rookie seasons. We know this.
The reason Ebron went so high isn't because of his fluid routes and consistent play. The reason is that he can make the most ridiculously athletic plays. His potential is immense.
However, to be a top TE he will have to develop consistency and learn the small game. But again; he is 21 years old. He has years to learn the nuances of the game.
I'd say the people that drafted Ebron and are now bailing on him for second/third round picks are the same type of owners that traded away OBJ in September because he struggled with his hamstring for so long. If you didn't believe in him as a prospect to begin with, fine. But if you invested in him a year ago and sell him with a discount now...that's bad process.