5 NFL Receivers Who Will Improve In 2017 (And 5 Who Won't)

If you're a Detroit Lions fan, this entry will almost seem like a cruel joke. Ever since the Lions drafted Eric Ebron 10th overall in 2014, fans of the NFL's most miserable franchise have been waiting for the young tight end to break out in a way that his mind boggling athleticism suggests he can. Although he's under-performed so far, that potential is still there and 2017 will be the year he makes good on it.

Ebron quietly had an impressive 2016 season. He caught 61 passes for 711 yards on an average of 11.7 yards per catch, all career highs. And while he only scored a single touchdown, that's less his fault and more the design of the Lions' offense: they had so many weapons, focus was rarely kept on any one target for very long. However, he did find the end zone five times in 2015, proving he's a capable scoring threat.

As quarterback Matt Stafford continues to evolve in the post-Calvin Johnson offense, Eric Ebron is in the perfect position to blossom into a premiere pass catcher with his exceptional athleticism, size, and big play ability.