Bill Belichick on Patriots captain Elandon Roberts: ‘Little bit undersized, but he’s got a big heart’

“I think that’s why Bill likes me.”

New England Patriots captain Elandon Roberts wasn’t far off in his postgame reflection Saturday.

But the reasons are multiple when it comes to pick No. 214 overall in the 2016 NFL draft.

“Yeah, you know, Elandon’s a tough kid – Morgan State to Houston to late draft pick,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Monday on WEEI’s Ordway, Merloni & Fauria. “Little bit undersized, but he’s got a big heart. He’s an impact, contact player. Really cares about football, works hard. He’s a good teammate. Does everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s played offense, defense, special teams. There’s a lot to like about the kid.”

Roberts played 21 snaps at fullback as New England secured the AFC East, 24-17, over the Buffalo Bills. He logged two snaps at linebacker and three snaps in the kicking game.

He crossed paths with the faces of many.

“He’s a tough football player, and he’s committed to our team,” Belichick added of the 6-foot, 238-pound Roberts. “I think that’s why his teammates voted him a captain this year. That’s kind of the respect he has. And you earn that – you don’t get that. Nobody hands that to you. You have to go out there and earn it every day. He does. He comes to work every day.”

Roberts has appeared in 68 games during his Patriots tenure, including postseason, to accrue 39 starts, 234 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble.