Detroit Lions: 4 free agent linebackers to consider signing

Elandon Roberts

2019 team/salary: New England Patriots / $2.025 million

2019 stats: 16 games played, 3 starts, 1.0 sack, 28 tackles, 1 reception, 38 yards, 1 touchdown

Age: 25

Height/Weight: 6-0 / 238

The pipeline of former New England Patriots to the Lions is well-documented, and some of those players have had success in Detroit. Should he be ready to move on to a new squad, Roberts may interest Detroit thanks to his expanding role, birthed at the end of this past season.

Roberts is hardly a game-changing talent on defense, and won’t offer much in the way of eyebrow-raising statistical production. However, his newfound two-way adaptability could pique the Lions’ interest this offseason.

The Lions value versatility amongst their personnel, especially players who fit towards the bottom of the roster. Roberts, nominally a linebacker, was pressed into action at fullback late this past season after injuries to the Patriots’ top two players at the position forced them to get creative. The results were promising.

In playing 51 snaps on offense over New England’s last four games (including their playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans), Roberts helped the Patriots average over136 yards on the ground during those contests, after they had previously surpassed that mark only once during the season. He also managed to catch a 38-yard touchdown pass in Week 17.

Roberts would likely have to scrap for any meaningful playing time on defense, but his multi-faceted playing style could be very beneficial for both him and the Lions. Detroit could be looking to upgrade the fullback position this spring, as incumbent Nick Bawden has struggled to gain any footing in two years because of injuries, and they have been relegated to a strange committee approach at the position during that time.

The Lions did have some success in converting former linebacker Nick Bellore into a fullback between 2017-2018. Roberts’ newfound resourcefulness could spare them the trouble of repeating that process, and his potential to grow on defense as well makes him an intriguing option.

Which of these players do you think would be a good fit for the Lions? Which linebackers do you think they should pursue this offseason? Let us know in the comments section below.