The Lions and Ndamukong Suh aren’t talking about the status a possible extension for the defensive tackle, but no such mystery is needed when it comes to first-round pick Eric Ebron.
The Lions announced Friday that Ebron has signed a four-year deal with a team option for a fifth year. Ebron is the final member of the Lions’ 2014 draft class to agree to a contract.
Detroit made Ebron the 10th overall selection last month after he completed his North Carolina career with 112 catches for 1,805 yards and eight touchdowns. Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said that the Lions will use Ebron in a similar manner to the way the Saints use Jimmy Graham.
“There are some things that we did with Jimmy in New Orleans that we will be able to do with Eric and maybe some things we can do with Eric that we didn’t do with Jimmy,” Lombardi said, via the team’s website. “They are both unique but [Ebron] is going to have a pretty big role in what we plan on doing.”
Ebron and wide receiver Golden Tate are the most notable additions to the Lions offense and Detroit will be looking for both to help them avoid the kind of offensive slump that contributed to a rough second half in 2013.