Ceilings and floors for Lions rookies in 2017: Michael Roberts
The Detroit Lions selected tight end Michael Roberts in the fourth round. What is the most he can produce in his rookie season?
Toledo tight end Michael Roberts was the second pick by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of last month’s NFL Draft, selected to complement Eric Ebron.
Roberts is more of a traditional tight end than Ebron, who plays more of a slot receiver role for the Lions.
As we continue our look at the draftees and a few of the undrafted free agents signed by Detroit that have a chance to make the final 53-man roster, we take a look at the ceiling and floor potential of Roberts.
Ceiling
Roberts is a great run blocker and his presence sealing the edge will help what was one of the NFL’s worst rushing offenses in recent years. He serves well in pass protection as well.
Detroit revitalized their offensive line in free agency and Roberts has potential to be the final piece of the puzzle.
As a receiver, he excels on shorter routes. He breaks off quickly into space and is physical enough to create separation for himself at the line of scrimmage. Roberts has good hands, and can be an asset on third down.
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The rookie will not challenge Ebron for a starting role this season, but he can fill a niche for the Lions in 2017.
Floor
The Toledo product is a great blocker in the trenches, but he is awful in the open field. The tight end has issues positioning and gaining leverage on opposing linebackers. Roberts occasionally dives headfirst into blocks and just gets absolutely beaten.
He isn’t very agile either, leading to poor route running. The rookie does not make the quick cuts usually needed to beat the defense in short-yardage situations and can be predictable when running routes.
These are two big marks against the two reasons the Lions drafted him at all. If he misses blocks and can’t create any sort of space for himself as a receiver, then he may become a liability on the field.
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Michael Roberts won’t start this year, but he will definitely see playing time. He is a strong blocker, but can be a liability at times. Roberts should definitely be on the field in jumbo packages and can serve as a second tight end in other packages.