Michael Roberts appears to have an uphill battle to stick on the Lions roster. The third-year tight end has not performed as well as hoped on the field, catching just 13 passes in his first two years and struggling with a knee injury. Detroit brought in free agents Jesse James and Logan Thomas and drafted T.J. Hockenson and Isaac Nauta.
That sure looks like bad news for Roberts, who has failed to carve himself a role as either a short-yardage/red zone target or a blocking specialist despite being 6-foot-4 and some 270 pounds.
Don’t write him off just yet, though. New Lions tight ends coach Chris White spoke words of praise for Roberts in his press conference on Tuesday.
“He’s done a nice job this offseason,” White said of Roberts. “He’s quietly just grinding away. He’s working at learning the offense, working at being more of a complete football player in all aspects. I just like the way he’s approaching everything right now.”
White continued:
“We brought two guys in and we drafted a guy and he’s kind of just kept his mouth shut and he’s working, and that’s all he can do. He’s going to have every opportunity to prove himself and he’s a gifted athlete.”
Roberts is in a fight for his Detroit future, especially if the Lions only keep three tight ends.
