Tight end Eric Ebron is on the open market for the first time in his career after he was cut by the Detroit Lions on Wednesday. It hasn’t taken the 24-year-old former top-10 pick long to fill up his schedule of free-agent visits as he goes in search of a new home.
Ebron will kick off his list of scheduled trips in Carolina on Friday to visit with the Panthers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Schefter further revealed Ebron’s travel plans over the weekend. He intends to meet with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday following his visit with the Panthers. There could then be a possible stop in Foxboro to visit the Patriots after that.
After having a bit of a breakout year in 2016, Ebron failed to build from that last season. He had 53 catches for 574 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games, but just nine starts. He has all the tools to be a top-caliber tight end, which was why he was selected 10th overall by the Lions in 2014. However, he has yet to live up to that potential.
The Panthers could do with another tight end on the roster, preferably young and athletic like Ebron. Veteran tight end Greg Olsen is already 33 years old and missed nine games last season due to a broken foot. Meanwhile, backup Ed Dickson is a free agent.
The Colts could also be looking to Ebron as a possible backup to Jack Doyle. Doyle had a breakout year last season as he had 80 catches for 690 yards – both career highs – and four touchdowns. However, the Colts don't have an adequate replacement on the roster if Doyle goes down.
As for the Patriots, their tight end situation remains up in the air with Rob Gronkowski yet to commit to playing next season. And after they released Martellus Bennett earlier this month, they have Dwayne Allen, Jacob Hollister, and James Develin left on the depth chart behind Gronk.
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