The Detroit Lions are trading tight end Michael Roberts to the New England Patriots, as first reported by DetroitNews.com’s Justin Rogers. In return for Roberts, the Patriots are sending a conditional 2020 seventh round pick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Lions selected Roberts in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Toledo. His production in the NFL has been low, with 13 receptions 146 yards and three touchdowns. His 2017 season ended early with a trip to injured reserve after he suffered a shoulder injury.
Roberts, who is 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, will join the Patriots tight end group which includes Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, Ryan Izzo and Andrew Beck. They’re a thin group after Rob Gronkowski retired during the 2019 offseason.
The Lions, meanwhile, just drafted T.J. Hockenson at seventh overall in the 2019 draft. He joins free-agent acquisition Jesse James and a handful of lesser-known tight ends.
