2014 NFL Draft grades: Detroit Lions select Eric Ebron

Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Eric Ebron speaks at a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Lions made no secret that they were interested in Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, but after he was long gone by the time the Lions were on the board with the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the team drafted Eric Ebron, tight end from North Carolina.

Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert was a popular pick for a number of mock drafts, but he was off the board two spots before the Lions made their pick, but the team bypassed Thorpe Award winner and Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard and Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan for another offensive weapon for Matthew Stafford.

Detroit has been a perennial preseason favorite to make the playoffs because of their intriguing skill position players led by All-Pro Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, Joique Bell and Stafford, but the defense has lacked playmakers in the secondary which has been the team’s undoing in recent years.

The drafting of Ebron adds to incumbent tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria, and considering the deficiencies in the secondary, the addition of Ebron means they loved his upside more than the No. 2 corner in the draft.

Ebron is the consensus top tight end in this draft and has been compared to Vernon Davis.

Grade: A-

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