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Top five tight ends for Redskins to target in 2020 free agency

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 12: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 17: Eric Ebron #85 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass in front of Ronnie Harrison #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 17: Eric Ebron #85 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass in front of Ronnie Harrison #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Indianapolis Colts. Eric Ebron. 3. player. 46. . Tight End

Eric Ebron is a polarizing option at the tight end position. He is a big-bodied target who was able to catch 14 total touchdowns during a Pro-Bowl year with the Colts in 2018.  But he comes with some concerns that make it difficult to trust him as a long-term option.

Throughout his career, Ebron has struggled badly with drops. When he was on the Detroit Lions, the team that selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, he could never be a consistent weapon for Matthew Stafford because these drops were so prevalent. As a result, he fell out of favor in Detroit despite averaging a solid 11.1 yards per catch and left for the Colts in 2018 free agency.

Ebron really caught fire with the Colts in ’18 and he seemed to be re-energized in Frank Reich‘s offense. He was much sharper, made fewer mistakes, and he became Andrew Luck‘s top red-zone target. He posted career-high numbers in all major receiving categories including yards (750), catches (66), targets (110), and total touchdowns (13 receiving, one rushing). In that season, he showcased his top-end talent and why he was such an early pick for the Lions.

Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders /

Washington Commanders

In 2019, Ebron regressed from his peak first season with the Colts. He was still a strong receiving option but he wasn’t as much of a scoring threat with Jacoby Brissett at the helm for Indy. He averaged a career-high 12.1 yards per catch but split time with Jack Doyle as the top tight end before landing on IR with an ankle injury.

There’s no doubt that Ebron would be an upgrade over what the Redskins have at tight end. But the question is, which version of Ebron would the Redskins be getting? Will they get the version who scored 14 touchdowns in one season and established himself as one of the league’s best pass-catchers? Or will he be the version that caught 14 total touchdowns over five seasons and struggled with drops?

There is some risk is signing Ebron and while he could easily become a strong receiving option at tight end, there’s a chance that he could frustrate with untimely drops and critical mistakes. That’s what’s holding Ebron back on this list for the time being — along with his recovery from injury.

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