Which NFL Players Have the Biggest Shoes to Fill in 2016?

A robotic language is often the natural one spoken by many coaches around the NFL. Or at least that’s the case for anyone not named Bruce Arians.

And heck, even Arians would probably say three all-too-familiar words when the head coach is asked how his team intends to replace any key player who left this offseason during free agency.

Say them with me now: next man up.

Those words were surely first to become scripture in the sacred bible of NFL cliches. Unfortunately, the rosy idea of sliding in whoever comes next on the depth chart doesn’t come close to meeting the real on-field implications.

When the Next Man Up becomes the current man because of an injury or offseason departure, his job isn’t necessarily to replace the production of a star player. Typically that’s not a task left to one man, so instead the Next Man Up needs to minimize the downgrade. He has to absorb the blow and do his part to keep the offensive or defensive wheels spinning.

In theory, that sounds like a low enough bar to clear. In practice it can become a frightening challenge, because the Next Man Up was usually lower on the depth chart for a reason. His talent level is several rungs below the guy above him who just left.

The torn and cratered battlefield of another offseason has left plenty of gaping holes to fill throughout the NFL in 2016. In some cases the Next Men Up are fully capable of answering that call, but in many others players are either followed by looming questions or face history, as daunting enemies and past play have told us they’ll struggle to stay afloat in new roles.

Let’s take a look at four key players who are being counted on to fill Shaq-sized shoes.

Eric Ebron

The Detroit Lions aren’t asking one person to replace retired wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Doing that would be unwise and a form of offensive suicide.

Instead, the load will be spread around evenly. Or that’s the hope at least, with wideout Golden Tate rising and newly signed receiver Marvin Jones giving quarterback Matthew Stafford a fresh target.

They’re two pieces of the equation, and reliable ones too. Both Jones and Tate have had productive seasons in the recent past. That’s especially true for Tate, who has posted 2,144 receiving yards on 189 receptions over his two seasons with the Lions.

But there’s much less certainty with the third skill-position player needed to help conquer the mountain of talent Johnson took with him. Actually, there’s no certainty at all with tight end Eric Ebron, who’s close to fully immersing himself in the draft-bust mud pit.

Consider the company he keeps on the tight end receiving yards standings over the past two years.

On that list you see four second- or third-tier tight ends, one of whom just went through potentially career-ending knee surgery. Then you see Ebron, who was a first-round pick.

In a 2014 draft rich with wide receiver talent, the Lions made Ebron not just a first-rounder but a top-10 pick. At 10th overall, he came off the board two picks ahead of the Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr.

In fairness, injuries have held him back somewhat, as the 6’4”, 255-pound brute has missed five games over two years. But when healthy he’s been mediocre and not nearly the seam-stretcher the Lions thought they were investing in with such a high pick. Ebron has averaged only 10.9 yards per reception and 29.1 per game.

But there was a flicker of light in 2015 when Ebron recorded five games with 50-plus receiving yards. He started to use his natural athletic ability to corral deep balls and become a large, bounding target who can easily gain body position. Please note Exhibit A:

Eric Ebron is a 23 year old former …

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