Getty FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 29: Elandon Roberts #52 of the New England Patriots runs the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Former New England Patriots are headed to the Miami Dolphins at a rapid pace. The latest to make the move from the perennial AFC East power to its divisional rival is Elandon Roberts.
Terms of Elandon Roberts’ Free-Agent Deal With the Dolphins
Per ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe, Roberts has agreed to terms with the Dolphins.
Dolphins agreed to a deal with former Patriots LB Elandon Roberts, per source.
Per ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Roberts’ deal is a one-year pact which has been the trend for some of the Patriots’ mid-level free agents who have gone elsewhere.
This news comes on the heels of former Patriots Kyle Van Noy and Ted Karras also agreeing to leave the Patriots for the Dolphins. The obvious connection to the Dolphins for former Patriots is Miami’s new head coach Brian Flores. He is the Patriots’ former linebackers coach and his relationship with players was obviously a strong one.
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What’s perhaps even more impressive is that Flores’ reach is extending beyond the defensive side of the ball. The Patriots also lost offensive lineman Ted Karras to the Dolphins. The Pats offer was reportedly worth more in the long run, but the opportunity to start in Miami, the uncertainty in New England, and higher compensation in 2020 led Karras to pick the Dolphins over the Patriots.
What Elandon Roberts Brings to Miami
In 2019, Roberts played left inside linebacker for a Patriots defense that surrendered the fewest points in the NFL. Roberts is known for his hard-charging style, but his reps decreased a bit in 2019. He played in all 16 games for the second consecutive season but started only three of them.
His tackle numbers dipped from 65 in 2018 to just 29 in 2019. Much of that was due to a move within the linebacker group.
Still, at 26 years old once the 2020 season begins, Roberts’ best days might take place in the next two or three seasons. Coming out Houston, Roberts was seen as a fantastic on-field leader despite being projected as a late-round pick. The Patriots selected him in the sixth round of the 2016 Draft. Flores is believed to have had a positive impact on his development:
Elandon Roberts’s improvement year to year was something to be applauded during his time with the #Patriots. The guy put in the time to study film and understand passing concepts to improve in coverage. Brian Flores was a big part of that.
Here is what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said about Roberts coming out of the draft:
His head coach calls Roberts one of the best leaders he’s ever been around and raves about his work ethic and passion for the game. Despite his athletic limitations, Roberts posted outstanding tackle production and was a commanding presence in the box, but his lack of speed and athletic ability create a paper-thin margin for error in the NFL that could be tough for Roberts to overcome.
Flores is hoping to get the top end of the projection for at least a year in Miami.
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