Michael

Roberts

Initially headed to the Patriots in June for a Day 3 pick, Roberts surprisingly failed his physical with the team, forcing Detroit to release him the ensuing afternoon. He landed with the Packers a few days later but failed to make their final 53-man roster. Only one season removed from hauling in 9/100/3 as a burly (6'4/270) goal-line read, the Dolphins simply have their fingers crossed Roberts’ practice habits finally catch up to his enticing athleticism.

Initially thought to be heading to the Patriots for a seventh-round selection before he failed his physical, Roberts will now land with the Packers off waivers in a crowded tight end room behind Jimmy Graham and promising third-rounder Jace Sternberger. Oft-injured early in his career, the 2017 fourth-rounder hauled in a mere nine catches for 100 yards and three scores last season. Green Bay also recently added former Jags TE Pharoah McKever.

It was reported Thursday that New England had acquired Roberts from Detroit for a seventh-round pick in 2020, but the deal fell through after he failed his physical. Regardless, his tenure with the Lions is over. The 2017 fourth-rounder snared nine-of-20 targets for 100 yards and three touchdowns over 159 offensive snaps last season.

The pick is reportedly conditional. A fourth-round pick in 2017, Roberts caught just 13 passes in two years with Detroit and ended last season on injured reserve with a shoulder issue. He did score 16 touchdowns his final year in college, however, and offers good size and reliable hands. He could push Matt LaCosse for snaps during Ben Watson’s suspension.

This wasn’t hard to see after the Lions signed Jesse James and drafted T.J. Hockenson. Roberts had a random two-touchdown game last season but was otherwise quiet before landing on injured reserve with a shoulder injury in December. Working in his favor is the Lions’ run-game commitment and expected featuring of multiple-tight end sets.

Blocking specialist Levine Toilolo led the Lions with 21 catches for 263 yards last season, which obviously is not ideal. Michael Roberts had a big Week 7 against the Dolphins with a 3-48-2 line but was injured a couple weeks later and placed on I.R. Toilolo and Luke Willson are free agents, leaving Roberts and Hakeem Valles. Eric Ebron was cut by Quinn last offseason and went on to have a career year with the Colts, finishing second in the NFL to only Antonio Brown (15) with 13 touchdown catches. This year’s tight end draft class is said to be exceptionally strong.

Roberts had occasionally been mixing in as a receiver, catching nine passes and finding the end zone three times. The No. 127 overall pick of last year’s draft, Roberts should maintain an inside track on a 53-man roster spot in 2019.

Roberts got in a round of limited practices, putting him on track to return after missing Week 11. With Marvin Jones (knee) and Kerryon Johnson (knee) out, Roberts could see a handful of targets. He’s a middling TE2.

With Marvin Jones (knee) headed for his second-straight absence, Roberts could be in for 4-5 targets if he gets cleared.

Lions had leaned on Roberts over Luke Willson in recent weeks, but the latter is now firmly in play for those in desperate need of a streamer. Roberts’ absence is also a positive for Theo Riddick, as he’ll likely be asked to play inline/in the slot full-time without Marvin Jones (knee) available, too.