It seems as if some clubs are weary of drafting a tight end in the first round. Such is the problem for Eric Ebron, who may slip out of the top 10 picks, but won’t slip for long.
Sources told TFY Draft Insider Tony Pauline that Ebron is the No. 1 target of the Baltimore Ravens. The team has reportedly coveted the former North Carolina standout for some time and is hoping he falls into their laps with the 17th overall pick.
Via Pauline:
Several sources tell me the number one target for the Baltimore Ravens in round one is tight end Eric Ebron, a player they’ve coveted for quite some time. Could Ebron slide to the 17th pick? I was told earlier this evening the New York Giants maybe souring on Ebron due to many of the personality red flags we’ve reported on this site since November. The other obstacle for the Ravens are the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team we’ve mentioned several times as a suitor for Ebron.
The Ravens should also fear the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions picking ninth and 10th, respectively, as teams that could nab Ebron. As mentioned by Pauline, the Giants could be in the mix for the tight end at No. 12. The XN Sports Mock 3.0 has the Bills adding Ebron to their receiving corps to help second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel.
The arch-rival Steelers, picking at No. 15, may stand in the Ravens’ way.
Ebron was projected to Pittsburgh in ESPN draft insider Todd McShay’s most recent mock draft. But another ESPN NFL analyst, former GM Bill Polian, disagreed, explaining Ebron’s skill-set doesn’t mesh with the Steelers’ way.
“He’s a Pittsburgh Steeler and he doesn’t block. That doesn’t compute,” Polian said of Ebron. “I don’t think he’s ready to play in the NFL right now. I think he’s too immature. I don’t think his feet are firmly planted on the ground. Yeah, he has ability but that only gets you so far.”
Baltimore locked up tight end Dennis Pitta at the start of the offseason, signing him to a five-year, $32.5 million deal. He’s expected to be a pivotal part of the Ravens’ new offense under Gary Kubiak.
Under Kubiak’s, the Houston Texans used a lot of two-tight end sets, meaning the Ravens may be considering add Ebron to the mix. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. told the Baltimore Sun that if available, he expects the Ravens to draft him.
“I think if Ebron gets by the Giants, I think he lands at Baltimore,” Kiper said. “I think a tight end with that kind of ability catching the ball, he’s not going to block for you, but that ability catching the ball, Ebron is going to be attractive at No. 17. Maybe because he’s not a great blocker, maybe the Giants pass on him.
“I think Ebron is a talent. If you can maximize it, you’ve got a big-time pass catching, basically a glorified wide receiver with Ebron.”
