<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Would Jimmy Graham make sense for Lions if Eric Ebron is traded?

          Every Saturday, we take some of your questions for a Lions mailbag. To ask a question for a future mailbag, use the hashtag #LionsMailbag on Twitter or email me at michael.rothstein@espn.com.

          Now, on to this week’s questions.

          Raymond, that would be a possibility if Eric Ebron was traded. That said, I’m not sure that’s a good move to make and here’s why. Yes, Ebron is in the final year of his contract and carries an $8.25 million cap hit. And if he’s not in the long-term plans, then get what you can for him. But if the strategy is to replace him with Jimmy Graham, here’s why that doesn’t make sense to me. Last season both guys played in 16 games. Ebron had more yards and fewer drops than Graham. They had a similar amount of catches (Graham 57, Ebron 53) with the only difference where Graham held the edge was in touchdowns, where Graham had 10 to Ebron’s four. Graham also had this fewer production in more targets than Ebron saw (95 for Graham, 84 for Ebron). Ebron had a higher reception percentage and lower drop percentage. Yes, Jimmy Graham is a good player. But Ebron had a better season. Ebron is also much younger than Graham. Graham turns 32 in November. Ebron turns 25 in April. One is at the tail end of his prime, if not out of it (Graham). The other is potentially heading toward the best years of his career (Ebron). So I understand moving on from Ebron if you’re the Lions and get the right deal. Just not sure if you’re doing that in hopes of landing Graham, that’s the smartest move. If the Lions move on from Ebron, get a good haul back and sign Graham, OK. But for fans hoping for a massive upgrade from Ebron to Graham if it happens, there might be some disappointment. And that said, don’t think it’s a lock Detroit trades Ebron at all.

          Brandon, I don’t know if I see the fit. Yes, the Lions need an early-down back and are likely to pursue backs in free agency and the draft as they remake their backfield. Just not sure if DeMarco Murray makes much sense here for a number of reasons. First, he’s 30 years old, which is usually a line of demarcation for the effectiveness of running backs. Also, I would be concerned about his production. Yes, he split time with Derrick Henry last season, but his 3.6-yards-per-carry average is not great and down eight-tenths of a yard from 2016. Two of the past three seasons, he’s had a 3.6-yards-per-carry average. So I think it would depend how Detroit would want to use him and how much the franchise would want to invest. I’m not sure it’s a match -- especially with a bunch of younger options out there that would likely be in the same salary range or even a bit cheaper.

          Daniel, reasonable question and the answer is yes, false information still exists out there even with technology. Yes, some things are easier to figure out now -- for instance whether a player is coming in on a visit or if there’s an injury (thanks, social media) or who is scouting where for pro days. But as long as communication between two humans is part of the reporting process -- and it’ll always be -- there’s the ability to put up a smoke screen or at least lead people to think one thing when you’re really doing another. How much does it really help? That’s a matter of debate, but it definitely still exists. And you’ll see it more and more as we slowly move from free agency season to draft season over the next month. The draft, more than any other time, is when smoke screens happen.

          Caleb, yes, there’s a chance. If you’ve read this space before you’ve probably seen me type that there’s always a chance for a trade, but it takes two willing partners (and some sense) to make it happen. So if Detroit sees an opportunity to move down at No. 20, then it could definitely happen. That’s something we won’t know, though, until the draft or really close to it.

          George, it’s definitely not being discussed as much as some of the other positions -- in part because it isn’t as big of a need and wasn’t a big concern or issue last season. That said, the Lions should bring in a corner or two to compete with Teez Tabor and Jamal Agnew for the starting outside and nickel spots. I would agree that it’s a risk and I think you’ll see Detroit make a couple of those moves, but not with big-name guys. It would surprise me, at this point, if they went in that direction unless there was a player to be grabbed at a discount price. You might see one of Nevin Lawson or D.J. Hayden return since they could compete at both spots, too. Just because it isn’t being discussed publicly doesn’t mean it isn’t a concern. Outside corner is probably a bit more of one than the nickel because they could move Quandre Diggs back to nickel if necessary (and if there was another suitable option at safety).

          Joe, I have no idea, but I would think at this time of year there isn’t much free time to go around between free agency and the draft. I’d be curious to see what Matt Patricia thinks of bowling now that he’s living in Michigan.