Fantasy Football 2015: Previewing the Detroit Lions
Eric Ebron
May 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (85) during OTA at Detroit Lions Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Drafted 10th overall in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the expectations were high for Eric Ebron to make an impact in the pass-happy Detroit offense. With Calvin Johnson drawing attention like he normally does and the newly acquired Golden Tate in the mix, it seemed like a good landing spot for Ebron to hit the ground running.
Well, it didn’t work out quite as planned. Appearing in 13 games on the season Ebron saw 47 targets, hauling in 25 of them for 248 yards and one touchdown. Ebron also had a mild case of the dropsies and was credited with four of those. Needless to say, his fantasy impact was non-existent.
He had a rough rookie year; it happens. The fact remains that he is still the type of physical specimen that can create matchup nightmares with less agile linebackers and smaller defensive backs. Potential isn’t worth much in the fantasy football world, however, so Ebron is no more than a TE3 for me until he shows me something. Lots of potential there, however, so could be a steal late in the draft or the type of waiver wire pickup that makes the difference for you.
Joseph Fauria
May 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Joseph Fauria (80) during OTA at Detroit Lions Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
If goofball dancing is your thing, then I’ve got a fantasy tight end for you. Fauria surprised the FF world with a seven-TD rookie year in 2013, but largely vanished in 2014 thanks in part to a bum ankle.
Fauria’s value is strictly as a red zone target, a role in which he excelled as an undrafted rookie two years ago. As such he’s not a TE that you’ll be seeking out during draft day. If at some point in the year he looks to have regained that red zone form and you catch him dancing on a highlight reel, he might be worth a short-term flier if you’re desperate.
Brandon Pettigrew
Pettigrew is the Lions’ primary blocking tight end and isn’t much of a pass-catching option any more. In the deepest of leagues in the most dire of roster trouble, Pettigrew still isn’t a fantasy option. Look elsewhere.
That’s a wrap on the relevant fantasy football players on the Detroit Lions’ roster. Omitted at receiver were Ryan Broyles, Corey Fuller, Jeremy Ross, T.J. Jones (Domer!) and veteran Lance Moore. One of them will claim the third WR spot but is likely to be no more than the fourth receiving option.
Stay locked into Bear Goggles On for more fantasy football previews around the NFC North in the coming days.
Next: Fantasy Football QB Sleeper: Eli Manning