Week 12 at Houston Texans
Eric Ebron is battling an ankle injury right now and is questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Texans, but he has upside against a defense that just allowed 75 yards and a touchdown to Mark Andrews on Sunday. The Texans actually rank second in aFPA to opposing tight ends this year, but Ebron is a focal point of the Colts’ offense and leads the team in targets this season.
Assuming Ebron is good to go and his ankle checks out, he’s an excellent streaming option with a better-than-average shot at a touchdown. The Texans defense has really struggled this year and the Colts are likely to play a ball-control game, running a lot and throwing to Ebron to move the chains and in the red zone. It could be a good game for the veteran. Just check the injury report before the game and be ready for a last-second switch if he’s a late scratch.
Week 11 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Ebron led the Colts with 12 targets last week against the Dolphins, catching five passes for 56 yards. Ebron has the potential to be the primary receiving option for the Colts with a heavily-depleted receiving corps, though he’s been inconsistent in his production throughout the year.
This week, Ebron has some upside against the Jaguars. Jacksonville ranks 18th in aFPA to opposing tight ends and the Colts still have limited options in the passing game. Plus, the return of Jacoby Brissett from injury should equate to improved quarterback play. We have Ebron as a quality streaming option in all leagues this week.
Week 10 vs. Miami Dolphins
Eric Ebron caught only two passes for 16 yards last week against the Steelers. Ebron was out-targeted and out-snapped by Jack Doyle, which isn’t a good sign for the veteran. He still has some fantasy potential as a red-zone threat, but his days of being a top-notch tight end went with Andrew Luck’s retirement it seems.
He has a nice matchup against the Dolphins this week – 18th in aFPA to opposing tight ends this season – and while it’s risky to trust him in a declining role, the matchup and dearth of options at the position make him a viable streaming option in most leagues.
Week 9 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Eric Ebron only had 26 yards on three receptions last week against the Broncos and he was targeted four times on the day. Ebron hasn’t been nearly as good as he was a year ago, but he’s quietly scored a touchdown in three of seven games this season. He isn’t on the field as much as Jack Doyle, but he trails Doyle in targets by only one.
This week, Ebron has some upside against a Steelers defense that ranks 27th in aFPA to opposing tight ends and allowed two touchdowns and 100 yards on eight receptions to Hunter Henry just two weeks ago. Fantasy owners lacking a more consistent option can look to Ebron from streaming help in what should be a pretty good matchup, hoping he finds the end zone.
Week 8 vs. Denver Broncos
Eric Ebron had a nice game against the Texans last week, catching four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Ebron remains heavily touchdown-dependent for fantasy output, but he’s found the end zone in three of six games this year, giving him upside in touchdown-heavy leagues.
This week, Ebron faces a tough matchup as the Broncos rank fourth in the league in aFPA to opposing tight ends, so he should be considered a streaming option only. Fantasy owners needing help at the position will be hoping for another touchdown from him, but it’s risky to expect too much against a difficult defense.
Week 7 vs. Houston Texans
Eric Ebron had a terrible game against the Chiefs before the bye last week, catching only one of the four balls thrown his way for eight yards. Ebron has scored two touchdowns this season and after 10 a year ago, he has upside as a red zone threat. However, his lack of overall production and the Colts’ emphasis on the run game – 11th in rushing attempts, 27th in passing attempts – this season makes him a risky option for fantasy owners.
Against the Texans this week, Ebron theoretically should do well. Houston allows the ninth-most passing yards per game to opposing offenses. However, the Texans are number on in aFPA to opposing tight ends, making it risky to trust him. He should be considered a low-end streaming option at best, and fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible.
Week 5 at Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Ebron caught only one pass last week against the Raiders, but it was a 48-yard touchdown and he was targeted five times. Ebron has at least four targets in each of his last three games, and he should benefit any time the Colts throw the ball as much as they did against the Raiders – 46 times.
The Chiefs are actually fifth in aFPA against the tight end this year, but they gave up a touchdown to T.J. Hockenson last week and the Colts’ receiving corps may be worse than their duo of tight ends. If the Colts need to throw the ball as much as they did last week, I like Ebron’s chances of finding the end zone again, making him a quality streaming option in all leagues.
Week 4 vs. Oakland Raiders
Eric Ebron had three catches off four targets for 47 yards against the Falcons last week. He’s had three receptions in two straight weeks and continues to be an active part of the offense, giving him upside, but he’s caught only one touchdown through three games and has surprisingly been targeted only twice in the red zone.
This week, Ebron has upside against the Raiders, who have allowed the fifth-most aFPA to the tight end position this season. Expect the Colts to use multiple tight end sets regularly to mitigate the loss of T.Y. Hilton on the outside and for Ebron to benefit from additional targets in a great matchup. He’s a fringe starter this week, and a nice streaming option.
Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Eric Ebron only had 25 yards last week, but he caught a touchdown and was targeted four times – tied for second on the team. Ebron has definitely taken a hit with the change at quarterback following Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement, but the Colts have moved the ball reasonably well against two good defenses with Jacoby Brissett behind center. If that continues, Ebron may prove to be undervalued.
This week, Ebron faces a struggling Falcons defense that allowed eight catches, 72 yards and a two-point conversion to Zach Ertz last week. While Ebron is no Zach Ertz, expect the Colts to find room to operate against Atlanta, and for Ebron to have a decent chance at finding the end zone again. He’s a decent streaming option in most leagues, and we have him ranked just outside our top-12.
Week 2 at Tennessee Titans
Eric Ebron missed Andrew Luck considerably. Luck was always effective using the tight end position. With Jacoby Brissett behind center in Week 1, Ebron caught only one of the three balls thrown his way for eight yards. Fellow tight end Jack Doyle didn’t fare much better with only one catch and 20 yards and the offense looked significantly different without Luck. Ebron could potentially get back to his red zone prowess, particularly with Devin Funchess injured, but it’s hard to trust it until we see it. Ebron is a hold in deep leagues and a potential future streaming option in most formats.
