The Lions selected Eric Ebron with the 10th overall pick, and there's little doubt he's going to be a big part of the passing game. That's what the team does best, that's his skill set, and that's how tight ends selected where he was generally turn out. A lot of difference-making receivers selected early at the position.
The last five tight ends selected in the top 15 of the draft were Tony Gonzalez, Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow and Vernon Davis. All but Davis had put up at least 800 yards, or 9 TDs, or both by their third seasons in the league. And Davis turned out pretty well, too.
Tight ends selected in the top 15 over the past 25 years, and yards and touchdowns from their best seasons, are presented below. All but two of them put up at least 700 receiving yards at some point in their careers, and half of them scored at least 9 TDs in a season.
TIGHT ENDS DRAFTED IN THE TOP 15, 1988-Present | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Pick | Player | Best Yards | Best TDs |
2014 | 10 | Eric Ebron | ??? | ??? |
2006 | 6 | Vernon Davis | 965 | 13 |
2004 | 6 | Kellen Winslow | 1106 | 5 |
2002 | 14 | Jeremy Shockey | 894 | 7 |
2000 | 14 | Bubba Franks | 442 | 9 |
1997 | 13 | Tony Gonzalez | 1258 | 11 |
1996 | 9 | Rickey Dudley | 787 | 9 |
1995 | 9 | Kyle Brady | 729 | 5 |
1992 | 14 | Derek Brown | 141 | 1 |
1992 | 15 | Johnny Mitchell | 749 | 6 |
1988 | 13 | Keith Jackson | 869 | 10 |
--Andy Richardson