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Redskins should target tight end Eric Ebron in buy-low move

By Jacob Camenker

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 24: Eric Ebron #85 of the Detroit Lions celebrates against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 24: Eric Ebron #85 of the Detroit Lions celebrates against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Eric Ebron was a former first round pick by the Detroit Lions. On Wednesday afternoon, he was released and while the Washington Redskins don’t have a hole at tight end, they should consider going after Ebron.

On the surface, tight end is one of the last things that the Redskins need. When all of their tight ends are healthy, they have two players who are starting caliber options for most teams and a third player who is a strong blocker entering his second season. Thus, the team having interest in a tight end may not make much sense.

However, a deeper dive into these players reveals major issues. Jordan Reed is the No. 1 tight end, but he has had a lot of issues staying healthy during his career. In five seasons, Reed has played in just 52 of a possible 80 regular season games, and most recently, he only suited up for six contests in 2017. Reed cannot be trusted as a top option because of these concerns, and the toll that the injuries have taken on him. When he was on the field in 2017, he looked a step slower than normal.

Reed’s backup had a terrific season. Vernon Davis, in his second season with the Redskins, totaled 648 yards on 43 catches last year and started every game for the team. He appears to be a reliable option and has been a solid backup. However, Davis turned 34 in January, so he may not have a lot left in the tank. He can still produce for now, but a regression could take place at any moment.

As for the third tight end, Jeremy Sprinkle, he is a solid looking blocker, but he could stand to develop as a receiver. If the team has to trust him as a starter, they could end up in trouble.

So, after looking at the three tight ends on the Redskins roster, it’s fair to wonder if they could use some extra depth. Sure, the team could have brought back versatile veteran and special teams captain Niles Paul, but the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him to a deal. So, the team lost depth there. That said, the Redskins should try to make a buy-low move at the tight end position, and they could accomplish that by bringing in Eric Ebron.

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    • Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Ebron was released by the Detroit Lions on Wednesday afternoon. Ebron was once a first round pick in 2014, but he fell out of favor with the team. Still, Ebron has put up solid numbers over the past three seasons, averaging 54 catches for 603 yards and three scores in that time frame. Ebron is a 6-foot-4, highly athletic tight end who could become a high-quality contributor in the right scheme.

    If the Redskins were to pursue Ebron, they would target him at a discounted rate. The fact is that no team wanted to trade for Ebron and his $8.25 million figure that he was due in the final year of his deal. So, it would stand to reason that he would come below that value, and he could possibly take a one year, “prove it” deal. He would probably command about $4-5 million on that type of deal, maybe even less depending on how the tight end market develops, and that could be worth the risk for the Redskins.

    Also, it’s worth noting that Alex Smith loved throwing to Travis Kelce, a big, athletic tight end, in Kansas City. While Reed could fill that role if healthy, it may behoove the team to bring in a secondary option for Smith to work with. Ebron fits the mold of what Smith likes in a tight end, so giving him a shot wouldn’t be a bad idea.

    Next: Redskins re-sign Brian Quick to play receiver

    Given the lack of consistent, healthy options the Redskins have at tight end, going after a guy like Ebron would make sense. Yes, he does have a history of minor leg injuries, but it would be worth the risk on a one-year deal. He has great athletic ability and receiving talent that can be hard to find. For that reason, the Redskins should at least consider targeting Ebron on the open market.

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