NFL Player News

So it appeared for weeks the Lions wanted to move up to select receiver Sammy Watkins from Clemson. Maybe they didn't offer enough to jump up to No. 4 like the Bills, who drafted Watkins. Or maybe they were hoping if they stayed put at No. 10 that an elite player would land in their lap.

That's what happened on Thursday night when they drafted tight end Eric Ebron from North Carolina.

Think about this offense now. Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Reggie Bush, Joique Bell and now Ebron. The only downside about this pick is Joseph Fauria loses all sleeper appeal, but we can live with that. He'll still score a few touchdowns, but Ebron could be a star.

You can't double cover him because of Johnson and Tate, and new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi comes from New Orleans, where Jimmy Graham was a dominant force. The Lions wanted an upgrade at tight end, and Ebron is the answer.

He should be considered a potential starter in all Fantasy leagues with a late-round pick, and he's a late first-round selection in rookie-only drafts. The Lions are going to be fun to watch in 2014. 

Josh McCown had great success in 2013 with the Bears when he stepped in for the injured Jay Cutler in part because of his receiving corps with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

He doesn't have that same talent with the Buccaneers, but he might not be far off following the NFL Draft. The Bucs drafted Texas A&M receiver Mike Evans at No. 7 overall, and he will join Vincent Jackson as the starters in Tampa Bay.

Now, this doesn't elevate McCown to a starting Fantasy quarterback, but it definitely helps his outlook. Jackson will remain a solid No. 2 Fantasy receiver, and Evans has plenty of sleeper appeal with a late-round pick in seasonal leagues.

The Bucs are going to be run-first with Doug Martin, but now they have a legitimate receiving corps, including quality tight ends in Timothy Wright and Brandon Myers.

In dynasty leagues, plan on drafting Evans with a first-round pick, and he will likely be selected in Round 8 or later in re-draft formats.

With the July 15 deadline for the Saints and Jimmy Graham to reach a longterm contract agreement looming, the New Orleans Times-Picayune expects Graham's grievance to be heard "sooner rather than later." The paper said neither side "can saunter into this grievance process with 100 percent certainty it will exit victorious."

The Saints slapped the $7 million tight end franchise tag on Graham for 2014. He is seeking a wide receiver designation, which would pay $5.3 million more. The NFL Players Association filed a grievance on Graham's behalf Wednesday.

According to ESPN, Graham lined up wide 67 percent of the time last season. That figures to be the core of Graham's argument.

The NFL Players Association filed a grievance arguing the Saints' Jimmy Graham should be designated a wide receiver, reports USA Today. The team slapped the tight end franchise tag on Graham for 2014.

The tight end tag is worth $7.035 million, while the receiver tag is worth $12.312 million.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said earlier Wednesday he had no update on longterm contract talks with Graham.

The Eagles lost DeSean Jackson this offseason, and Fantasy owners are concerned their offense could struggle without a deep threat down the field. It's possible, but there's still plenty of talent for Fantasy owners to tap into even though Jackson is gone.

For an in-depth look at some of the top Eagles players -- Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles, Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper and Zach Ertz -- check out this blog I wrote in looking at their preseason outlooks. A lot can change between now and the start of the season, but here is one view on the Eagles heading into this year.

If you disagree, feel free to discuss any differences with me on Twitter @jameyeisenberg

Eagles coach Chip Kelly seems to believe that gigantic tight end Zach Ertz "can have a huge role" in 2014, helping the team replace receiver DeSean Jackson. The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that several Pro Bowl caliber tight ends made a huge jump from Year 1 to Year 2, including the likes of Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. The paper believes he'll see a jump in playing time, especially if he can improve his blocking. 

"He's got the ability to be a flexed-out guy," Eagles GM Howie Roseman said. "He can play with his hand down. He can play in the slot. He can line up outside. He's a hard guy to cover because he's got really good feet, [and] obviously he's big."

The Falcons have signed tight end Bear Pascoe on Thursday, reports the team's official website.

Pascoe has spent all five seasons of his career with the Giants and has 38 catches for 333 yards and one touchdown.

Free agent tight end Bear Pascoe is visiting the Falcons on Thursday, reports FOX Sports.

Pascoe has spent all five seasons of his career with the Giants and has 38 catches for 333 yards and one touchdown.

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz had some big games down the stretch of his rookie season, catching two touchdown passes against the Cardinals and making six grabs for 57 yards and a score at Minnesota. Ertz is preparing for a bigger 2014 role. 

“I want to be more of a complete tight end," he told the team's website. "I don’t want there to be a situation where I have to come off the field because it’s a running play or a passing play and the coaches feel they have to get me off the field. That’s what I’m working for this year.”

Ertz finished with 36 catches for 469 yards and four touchdowns while sharing time with Brent Celek and James Casey. The website said the Eagles plan to move Ertz around the formation "quite a bit" and use his ability "to get down the field."

Tight end Gavin Escobar will be the most improved player on the Cowboys, according to ESPN.com's Todd Archer. Escobar might not improve his blocking much, but should play a lot more in 2014.

"I think the Cowboys will use him and play to his strengths more," Archer said. "He’ll attack the seams and be a red-zone threat on occasion."

The 6-6, 249-pounder caught nine passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. Jason Witten will continue to dominate targets among Cowboys tight ends.