National Football League
Detroit Lions WR Golden Tate defends struggling teammate Eric Ebron
National Football League

Detroit Lions WR Golden Tate defends struggling teammate Eric Ebron

Published Jun. 11, 2015 2:16 p.m. ET

Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron has yet to live up to draft expectations. Ebron was the 10th-overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, but his rookie season yielded just 25 receptions for 248 yards and a touchdown.

Now heading into his second season, Ebron still hasn't silenced his critics. Drops have been an issue for the North Carolina product during OTA workouts open to the media, but Lions wide receiver Golden Tate is telling a different story from an inside perspective, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

"I think Eric's hungry, and this week, specifically, he's been phenomenal catching the ball and after the catch," Tate told the Detroit Free Press. "Linebackers are having a tough time covering him, and even safeties. Hopefully, he's not letting (any of the negative talk about his drops) get into his head, but hopefully, he is trying to fix the problem. He's been working hard, he's improved a whole lot; we're excited for him this year."

Ebron's main competition for top tight end reps in 2015 will likely come from Joseph Fauria and Brandon Pettigrew. The Lions also added free agent David Ausberry, who last played for the Oakland Raiders, to the tight end mix this week.

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(h/t Detroit Free Press)

Photo Credit: Tim Fuller/Contract Photographer

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