Elandon Roberts is proof there is and always will be a size bias in the NFL.
The Patriots selected the linebacker late in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, but if he were two inches taller and 10 pounds heavier, he likely would have been picked two rounds earlier. Roberts measured in at 5-foot-11, 234 pounds at his pro day in March.
Roberts was one of the most productive players in college football in 2015, leading the Football Bowl Subdivision in solo tackles with 88. The Houston product posted 142 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 14 games.
The film shows what the stats imply: Roberts is a tremendous downhill player, excelling both against the run and as a pass rusher. He looks like he was shot out of a cannon while he blitzes.
Roberts has impressive instincts and awareness, and can take on and beat blockers despite his size. He’s a better player in the box rather than in space. His downhill quickness trumps his lateral speed and tracking ability.
Pro Football Focus graded Roberts positively in every area last season. He had 29 total pressures on just 135 pass-rushing opportunities and was second in college football with 74 defensive stops. He led the nation in PFF’s run-stop percentage metric.
Roberts was keyed in on Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds in their game last season. Roberts held him to 19 carries for 84 yards on the ground for 4.4 yards per carry — Reynolds’ fifth-lowest yards per carry in 2015. Roberts had seven tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in that game.
Roberts doesn’t look as comfortable dropping back in coverage as he does in pursuing the run. He’s a solid athlete, running a 4.60-second 40-yard dash at his pro day with a 1.67-second 10-yard split, 36-inch vertical, 10-foot broad jump, 4.26-second short shuttle and 7.20-second 3-cone drill.
He was a defensive captain for Houston and is known as a great leader on and off the field. He plays like a prototypical Patriots linebacker, just at a 90 percent scale.
If Roberts is going to crack the Patriots’ roster, he’ll have to impress on special teams. He seems to have the speed required to contribute in the kicking game, where his lack of size won’t matter as much.
Roberts played middle linebacker at Houston and likely would fit in the same role with the Patriots. If injuries occur, and Roberts had to fill in as a starter, he would be better served rushing the passer than dropping back in coverage on passing downs.
Thumbnail photo via Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports Images
