Eric Ebron (TE, DET) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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Owned in 20% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: Eric Ebron was not drafted as the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft to sit on the sidelines for too long, and the Detroit Lions have been putting him right to work in the early parts of the season.

Brandon Pettigrew come in as the lame duck tight end in Detroit, who couldn't carve out a niche for himself in a pass-happy offense, and is now being relegated to mostly taking his snaps on rushing downs. The highly suspect Joseph Fauria is out of commission with an ankle injury as well, so that leaves the Lions with the enormous bodied, and highly talented New Jersey native to take over as the Martellus Bennett of the Lions offensive unit.

Week 4 against his hometown Jets was clearly a breakout fantasy performance for the 6-4, 265 pound man-child, as he managed a touchdown to go along with his 3 receptions (on 4 targets) for 34 yards. This is definitely a sign that bigger things are brewing for the young man, but don't going blowing your entire FAAB budget on this future ace tight end just yet; just keep a watchful eye on his targets and snap count week to week.

Conversely, if you are in a 14+ team league, have some spare room on your bench, or are dealing with some lackluster tight end performances out of guys like Charles Clay or Garrett Graham, then we like the fantasy upside that Eric Ebron can provide during the 2014 season as an immediate impact player to go alongside Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate in the Lions high powered offense.