ALLEN PARK — Eric Ebron is starting to look more like a first-round pick.

The Detroit Lions tight end is not any different from most rookies. Taking the field with NFL veterans can be a challenge initially.

“At least knowing what to do, where to line up, where to be. Now I can do the things that got me here,’’ Ebron said after Wednesday’s minicamp session. “It’s been fun. I’ve started to earn a lot more respect, I’ve started to produce a lot more and I’m starting to get a lot more reps.’’

The coaches can see him getting a little more comfortable and so can his teammates.

“Ebron is obviously a young guy, he’s super athletic and can get in and out of cuts,’’ quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “But he’s raw, he’s young, he has got to learn the NFL game like every rookie does but there’s definitely flashes of big-time talent.''

While he’s a tight end, he’s getting mentoring from wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

“He’s changed my game more mentally than anything, he’s been a huge role model,’’ Ebron said. "He’s really been helping me as a big brother.''

The Lions wrap up their three-day mandatory minicamp on Thursday. The players will be off until training camp starts in late July.

Get inside look at Wednesday's action in photo gallery.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)