Chicago Bears: Pros and cons of adding Eric Ebron

Cons

Drops

Using a similar scale referenced in the opening slide, Ebron ranks fairly low in catch percentage among qualified tight ends. The top tight end, in terms of catch percentage in 2019, was Will Dissly at 85 percent. The lowest (again, among qualified tight ends) was Ian Thomas at just 52 percent.

Ebron finished 2019 with just a 60 percent catch rate.

Over his 2018 season where he caught those 13 touchdowns, you might be surprised to learn that Ebron’s catch percentage was also 60 percent.

He has always had an issue with drops, which is an alarming con when referring to a Bears team that struggled in that category last season.

Injuries

A big reason why Ebron’s production dropped last year (just 31 receptions for 375 yards and three scores) was due to nagging ankle injuries. He was finally shut down in late November to undergo surgery on both ankles.

With the way things have gone with Burton and Shaheen over the last year or so, I’m not so sure adding another injury-prone tight end is of the team’s best interest.

Ebron has a ton to like about him when healthy, but that is a huge caveat that comes with signing a guy like him. He is a risk, no matter how you look at it. If he came at the right price (which, he probably won’t), Ebron would be a worthy risk to take.