An additional potential job was added by the New England Patriots to their finish room.
TE Michael Roberts was traded by the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2020 conditional select into the Patriots, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The deal was announced by the Lions official that was later.
The Detroit News’ Justin Rogers reported that the swap.
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A fourth-round select in 2017, Roberts possessed the dimension and red-zone manufacturing in faculty to endeavor as a TD weapon. That possible never materialized in Detroit.
“Good competition from the (TE) room at this time, so we had an opportunity to proceed from Mike and get something later on for this,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said when asked about the group’s choice to cope Roberts.
Injuries hindered the 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight end. In two seasons with the Lions, Roberts compiled for 146 yards and three touchdowns. The TE showed promise last offseason, but trauma derailed that progress, and he ended up playing with only eight games.
The Lions targeted tight finish upgrades this offseason, making T.J. Hockenson a top-10 choice and signing Jesse James into a big contract. Detroit additionally included Logan Thomas and seventh-rounder Isaac Nauta that this offseason.
Roberts was allegedly running since the TE during Lions’ offseason workouts, also awarded that the compensation was a long-shot to make the roll.
The combines a roster hoping to replace Rob Gronkowski. New England’s TE room includes Benjamin Watson (suspended four games), Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo, Andrew Beck, and Roberts. After releasing Austin Seferian-Jenkins due to personal reasons, it is apparent the Pats are throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks in an attempt help replace one of the greatest mismatch benefits in NFL history.
Roberts has fought as a blocker — did show small improvements before injury struck last season — and didn’t create as a pass-catcher in limited time. Absence of development and his injuries were one motive Detroit. He heads to New England where he should get more chances to demonstrate growth, at least until Watson returns.
If Roberts turns out to earn a fraction of the impact the last flier the Patriots took to a washed-out Lions draft pick (Kyle Van Noy), New England will be pleased.
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