By The Hudsonian, Joshua Hudson
Transaction: The Indianapolis Colts sign TE Eric Ebron to a 2-year deal
2018 Fantasy Outlook: I hate this move so much. Like so much. Eric Ebron is drain on fantasy owners and NFL owners alike. So much talent and he apathetically displays a desire never to use it. Now he heads to a team who already has a talented tight end with half his talent and twice his production. Okay, that last statement is an exaggeration. Comparison time!
Ebron hasn’t exactly been the least productive tight end in the NFL. But he certainly hasn’t been the most productive either. Since his rookie year in 2014, Ebron ranks 13th in receptions, 15th in receiving yards, and tied for 22nd in TDs. He was also the 10th overall pick in the 2014 draft, ahead of guys like Odell Beckham Jr. and Aaron Donald. I think my disdain is somewhat warranted.
Now let’s look at the last two seasons. Why? That’s when Jack Doyle became a viable receiving option in the Colts offense. Doyle ranks 5th in receptions, 8th in yards, and 10th in TDs. Keep in mind, he didn’t have Andrew Luck last year either. Ebron ranks 8th in receptions, 7th in yards, and tied for 27th in TDs. There’s a good 400 yards separating them from the upper echelon of top tier tight end production and that was before they joined the same offense. That said, what makes you think these two can now coexist in the same offense and both produce top 10 fantasy numbers at the position?
I liked Doyle as a TE1 with Luck expected back. With the addition of Ebron, he may not be higher than TE12. Doyle has fallen off my radar and Ebron was never on it. Draft both at your own risk.