As we enter the quietest part of the NFL calendar, the lull weeks before training camps open, there are still a few decent free agents left on the market that could help provide a small spark to teams that may need it.
Ian Wharton of Bleacher Report recently ranked their ten best remaining free agents under the age of 30 and some potential team fits for them.
One of those free agents was paired with the Cincinnati Bengals as a possibility. That player is TE Eric Ebron:
The 6’4″, 253-pounder uses his length and thick frame to box out defenders instead of relying on his once-impressive speed. He’s posted a catch rate of at least 60 percent in all but one season over the last seven years. It’s easy to see why a playoff contender could use him as a red-zone target.
But Ebron could be more than that if healthy. He’s maintained a 10.9-yard-per-catch average during his career. Put him in an offense with several playmakers ahead of him in the pecking order, and he’ll be an excellent value.
Sure, the Bengals did sign Hayden Hurst, but they’re only paying him $4 million for one year. And unless you still have hopes for Drew Sample, the TE2 role is wide open. Ebron would add a decent option in the middle, despite his drop issues over the years, particularly recently in Pittsburgh.
And he is still only 29 and wouldn’t come as too much of a cost of the Bengals really wanted to add to their tight end room. Pittsburgh still found a way to utilize Ebron even after the emergence of Pat Freiermuth. Perhaps the Bengals could the same with Ebron and Hurst.
It’s at least something to think about. Wharton also lists the Eagles and Vikings as potential fits for Ebron.
