Lions Sign First-Round Pick Eric Ebron

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

CBS DETROIT - The Detroit Lions have signed rookie tight end Eric Ebron, their first-round pick in the 2014 draft. Ebron announced the deal on his Twitter account Friday, the day after the team's mandatory minicamp concluded.

Ebron signed a four-year deal worth $12.25 million, according to spotrac.com. The deal reportedly includes a fifth-year option and a $7.23 million signing bonus.

"It's amazing," Ebron stated in a press release. "All your hard work, everything that you worked for back to playing flag football, it's just that moment you can't describe. It's done. I'm officially a member of an organization, a team and a family. It's the Detroit Lions."

Ebron will be competing with veterans Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria for reps in the Lions offense, which is led by new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. Lombardi comes from the New Orleans Saints, where tight end Jimmy Graham figured prominently in the highly successful New Orleans offense led by heralded quarterback Drew Brees.

Listed at 6-feet-4-inches and 245 pounds, Ebron is expected to get significant playing time for the Lions in 2014. Pettigrew said Friday that there is something for everyone - as in all three tight ends - in the new offense.

Having come to terms with Ebron, the Lions still have another high-profile deal to seal - one with star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who becomes a free agent after this season. Both Suh and the Lions have expressed a desire for Suh to remain in Detroit.

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• Detroit Lions
• NFL