The Patriots selected LB Elandon Roberts with pick 214 in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Expectations for his role with the team were measured, as the starting linebackers last preseason (Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, and Shea McLellin) were locked in.
Roberts’ performance in his final year of college at the University of Houston hinted at his potential. Out of 72 draft-eligible inside linebackers, Roberts earned PFF’s ninth-highest overall grade of 84.5, and the 10th-highest run-defense grade at 80.2.
As a Patriots rookie, Roberts’ first significant action came in Week 5 against the Browns, and he burst out of the gate with 7 tackles and 5 stops.
