I would be ECSTATIC if we got this guy in the first round. I hope to all hell that we do. I think he will fall to us and I think he will be the best player on the board at the time. How would you all feel taking him first round? [YOUTUBE]5GgY1-xjk4E[/YOUTUBE]
Well see that's a tough spot. If both are available, which do you take? I would still take Ebron. I think this draft is so deep in WR, that we can find talent in later rounds and through free agency. We NEED a dominating TE.
Ebron went to the GMen at pick 12 and I don't know if BAL skips on him either. A shot BUF/TB each look at Ebron if he kills it at the combine. Would be amazing if he fell but I just don't know.....
Why? I would be very happy with Ebron, but disagree that we NEED a dominating TE. I think we just need a two-way TE with prototypical size that's equally adept at blocking and receiving, who can help keep the chains moving and function as a safety valve. Having a dominant TE is a luxury, not a necessity imo. I think getting a topflight WR or even a stud OLB would benefit the team more than an elite or dominating TE. The other issue is that if the Jets miss out on Evans at #18 and take Ebron, Matthews, Robinson, Cooks might all be gone by #49, and the Jets could wind up not getting a topflight WR prospect at all, but lower tier WR prospects. Depending upon if Evans is still there at #18, and where Beckham, Cooks, Matthews and Robinson are rated, I think that if Evans is gone, and one of the top OLB prospects isn't there, I hope they will trade down and take one of the WRs.
If Ebron makes it to 18 I'd do fucking back flips. It's a pipe dream at this point. He's much more Vernon Davis than Tyler Eifert draft stock wise, especially after the combine.
I think having a dominant TE is not only a safety blanket for a QB, but allows the passing game to open up. Rob Gronkowski Jimmy Graham Jason Witten Vernon Davis Antonio Gates Tony Gonzalez Now guys like Julius Thomas are emerging. Having a dominant TE does wonders to any offense.
Reports are saying he's put on significant weight to increase his ability as a blocker. Geno threw most of his INTs out of the two tight end set. Now is that a testament to how bad our TEs were or that Geno isn't comfortable in that formation? Time will tell but from the highlights Ebron looks like a weapon as long as his weight gain doesn't affect his explosive ability
It's got to be either him or one of the high end WRs, assuming they aren't all off the board. I'd love to get Ebron but I'm not confident he'll be around at 18.
He reminds me a lot of Vernon Davis as well. Love his speed and toughness in the middle of the field. Guy has great hands too. A reliable weapon we desperately need.
We have two major needs, TE and WR. There aren't a lot of talented tight ends in free agency, unless Graham doesn't re-sign (which will be expensive). When Dennis Pitta, who I believe is highly overrated is the #2 TE, it's not great. Also, there is a real lack of talented tight ends in the draft. Only project-able starting caliber tight ends are Ebron, Amaro and Jenkins. (I'm sure others here will correct me with their opinions). This draft is stacked with ride receivers. We can find players to contribute into the 4th/5th round. There are also many talented receivers in free agency. As much as I want Watkins or Lee, I think it's a must we go TE in the 1st.
Just basing it on what I've read, and some highlight tape, i agree his game is in the mold of Vernon Davis. Overall I'd be ok with the pick, but have some mixed feelings on it. Positives i see: seems like a good weapon for chuck yardage plays will be a mismatch with his speed and athleticism good hands, high points the ball, and can win the one on one contesting for a ball good fit for Marty's O we desperately need help at TE, and could really help Geno Smith Concerns: I'm not a big fan of drafting one dimensional TE at a #18 overall. He'd better really excel at that one dimension at the next level to warrant the pick. Can he be effective getting open in tight spaces like the red zone? he doesn't have a ton of TD's in college. I think stretching the field and chunk plays is where he excels (which we clearly need). Has to put on weight and improve his blocking. If the threat of that isn't there, teams will adjust quick. I'd still like to sign Pettigrew, who is in many ways the opposite player of Ebron. He'd come relatively cheap (guessing 3mil per). The combination of the 2 players would massively upgrade the TE position. And if Ebron is already off the board, we could target another area while drafting a TE outside of round 1. would give us the most flexibility to let the board play out imo..
Ebron is not 1 dimensional. He can block, he just needs to improve his technique. Vernon Davis wasn't the best blocker coming out of college (and he's still not a great blocker), but he still contributes in that department. I guarantee you he's already a better blocker then Cumberland. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/futures/2013/futures-unc-te-eric-ebron Ebron will be a 3 down TE in the NFL.
Ebron is so athletic & dominant in open space..it doesn't matter how lousy a blocker he is. He's a legit top 15 talent. Looks like a pipe dream at this point. What the Jets need to do is take very close looks at both Jace Amaro as well as Austin Sefarian Jenkins. Are either of these guys worth the #18 pick? Same with WR. The elite guys like Watkins/Lee/Evans will be long gone. Jets will need to look at that 2nd wave which includes Odell Beckham Jr,Kelvin Benjamin,Allen Robinson & Brandin Cooks. Are any of THEM worth the #18 pick?
A lot of Dolphin fans are shitting their pants knowing that there is a possibility we take him at 18. If he's there, I swear I will be SCREAMING at the TV
Why not trade up for him? We have a ton of picks and a ton of cap room to make big moves this offseason. If this guy is what everyone thinks he is, I wouldn't be against Idzik trading up to take him. I haven't been this high on a TE in a long time. I have the biggest feeling this guy is going to be an absolute stud
I disagree that it doesn't matter how lousy a blocker Ebron is. The Jets don't need another one-dimensional TE that helps to make the Jets' offense predictable. Fortunately, Ebron isn't a lousy blocker. He's pretty good, but does need to improve. The problem is his size. He's more akin to the Keller than he is a prototypical TE. Even with refining his blocking technique, adding some weight and strength, he's probably never going to be a great blocker. With as much as the Jets like to run the ball. They need a great blocker at TE. I wouldn't hate Ebron being picked, especially if the top WRs are gone and they don't see any of the 2nd tier being worthy of the #18 pick, but I'd much rather the Jets get Evans, Mack, Ford, or perhaps trade down, rather than take Ebron or especially Amaro or S-J at #18, as neither of the latter are worth being drafted that high. I'd rather the Jets get two WRs or a WR and OLB or WR and S with their two first round picks, then get Fiedorowicz in the 3rd round. There are also some good two-way TE prospects that will be available in the middle and lower rounds. They don't have to get an elite one. That's a luxury imo. They just need one who is equally adept at blocking and receiving who can help keep the chains moving and be a safety valve for Geno. Good point about the Jets doing their due diligence however on the WRs and TEs and having a plan B and C if Evans and Ebron are gone at #18.
