Could Eric Ebron transform into the next Jimmy Graham?

For a young tight end, being compared to three-time Pro-Bowler Jimmy Graham is the ultimate compliment.

This is the word out in Detroit regarding second-year tight end Eric Ebron, at least according to veteran wide receiver Lance Moore. After spending four seasons playing with Graham in New Orleans from 2010-2013, Moore speaks from his experience.

“I mean, obviously, Jimmy’s bigger, but athletically, I think they’re on the same page, on the same level,” Moore said (via The Detroit Free Press). “I think the sky’s the limit for Eric.”

Physically speaking, Graham is a physical freak who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 260 pounds. Ebron checks in a few inches shorter at 6-foot-4 and weighs 250 pounds.

Ebron, a questionable first-round pick by the Lions in 2014, didn’t exactly do much to turn heads in his rookie debut. In the 13 games for which he participated, he totaled only 25 receptions for 248 yards and one touchdown. If Ebron was owned by anyone in fantasy football, he was quickly discarded to the waivers for lack of production early on. A hamstring injury that caused the tight end to miss a few games did not help contribute to his unimpressive stat line.

Looking at Graham’s production for the four years he started in New Orleans (2011-2014), he rang up a total of 4,396 yards and 46 touchdowns. Graham also averaged 88.7 receptions per season during this four-year span.

Just looking at these numbers would have Ebron needing to make some major strides in growth to transform into a Graham-like player.

It does help that Ebron’s fellow teammate and wide receiver Golden Tate recently explained his confidence in Ebron moving forth.

For now though, until we see more from Ebron, the jury is still out on Moore’s comparison.

Photo: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports