FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots, thin at tight end since the retirement of Rob Gronkowski in March, are acquiring third-year tight end Michael Roberts from the Detroit Lions for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2020, a league source confirmed to ESPN.
In the search to replace Gronkowski, four-year veteran Matt LaCosse was taking No. 1 reps in mandatory minicamp. He had a career-high 24 receptions with the Denver Broncos last season.
Veteran Benjamin Watson figures to be part of the mix, but he will miss the first four games of the season due to an NFL suspension.