The New England Patriots have selected Houston linebacker Elandon Roberts as the 214th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Whenever I was watching Houston's first round prospect cornerback William Jackson III, a different player kept jumping out on screen. That player was Elandon Roberts.
Roberts has a knack for timing up his A Gap blitzes, an important role in the Patriots defense. He has range, he has speed, and he has strength to stop the run up the gut. The only problem is his size.
Roberts measures in at 5'11 3/8 and 234 lbs. He runs a 4.6 40 and leaps a 10' broad jump. His 88 solo tackles in 2015 led college football and he makes plays all over the field.
He seems like an ideal candidate for the Patriots special teams, with potential to back-up the linebackers on defense, or even serve as the third linebacker on rushing downs. He's far from a lock, but he'll be fun to watch.