Patriots Address Tight End Woes in Trade With Lions
By Jerry Trotta
The retirement of Rob Gronkowski, recent release of Austin Seferian-Jenkins and the four-game suspension of Benjamin Watson left the New England Patriots in tight end oblivion.
Desperate for an addition in an unfriendly market, the Pats have acquired back-up tight end Michael Roberts from the Detroit Lions in exchange for a future late-round draft pick, per Justin Rogers of the Detroit News.
The Detroit Lions are trading tight end Michael Roberts to the Patriots for a future, late-round draft pick.
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) June 13, 2019
Detroit was likely looking to deal Roberts, as he might not have made the team's final roster as they signed Jesse James and Logan Thomas in free agency and used a first-rounder on T.J. Hockenson (No. 8 overall) out of Iowa.
Roberts was a fourth-round pick out of Toledo in 2017, where he led the NCAA in touchdown receptions by a TE. His "big guy with soft hands" narrative just didn't click which the Lions, as he was always playing behind the likes of Eric Ebron.
Adam Schefter has now confirmed that New England will be coughing up a conditional seventh-rounder in 2020.
Compensation update: Lions are trading tight end Michael Roberts to the Patriots for a conditional 7th-round pick in 2020, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 13, 2019
After catching 16 touchdown passes his senior year at Toledo, the Lions focused on building up his blocking during his rookie year. In 23 career games, the 25-year-old youngster has hauled in just 13 passes for 146 yards and 3 touchdowns. He finished last year on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.