Eric Ebron looks like he runs nicely. Ran a 4.59 at the combine, and he got downfield at North Carolina last year, averaging 15.7 yards per catch.

In the last 20 years, only two tight ends selected in the first round have averaged more yards per catch in their final year of college – Dallas Clark and Tony Gonzalez.

TIGHT ENDS SELECTED IN FIRST ROUND, LAST 20 YEARS
YearPlayerNoYdsAvgTD
2003Dallas Clark4374217.34
1997Tony Gonzalez4469915.95
2014Eric Ebron6297315.73
2002Daniel Graham5175314.86
1996Rickey Dudley3246914.76
1997David LaFleur3043914.63
2000Anthony Becht3551014.65
2010Jermaine Gresham6695014.414
2006Vernon Davis6187114.36
2004Benjamin Watson2332414.12
2001Todd Heap4561713.73
2013Tyler Eifert5068513.74
1995Kyle Brady2736513.52
2005Heath Miller4154113.25
2002Jeremy Shockey4051913.07
2008Dustin Keller6888113.07
2006Marcedes Lewis5874112.810
2000Bubba Franks4556512.65
2007Greg Olsen4048912.21
2009Brandon Pettigrew4247211.20
2004Kellen Winslow6060510.11
1995Mark Bruener343319.71
2002Jerramy Stevens10888.81

Ebron has not, however, shown much ability to be a dominate force around the end zone, using his size to outmuscle defensive backs – stuff like that.

Last year North Carolina threw 28 touchdowns. Ebron caught only 3 of them.

The previous year, they threw 29 touchdowns. Ebron caught only 4.

If he can’t catch 10 touchdowns in the ACC, how is he supposed to dominate in the NFC North?

—Ian Allan