Elandon Roberts

Elandon Roberts Player Profile

Summary

Elandon Roberts was drafted in Round 6 (#214 Overall) in the 2016 Draft out of the University of Houston. After beginning his collegiate career at Morgan State and later transferring to the Cougars, Roberts became a productive, instinctive defender. Over his NFL career, Roberts has logged 600+ total tackles, 14.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 12 passes defended, and one interception (as of 2025). He’s a 2× Super Bowl champion (LI and LIII) from his time with New England. Character-wise, Roberts is known for his high motor, physicality, and leadership; he brings experience, toughness, and a willingness to be a tone-setter in run defense.

Strengths

  • Run Defender / Thumper: Roberts is excellent at flowing downhill, taking on blocks, and making tackles near the line of scrimmage.

  • Experience & Durability: He has played in a large number of NFL games (140+ career games per his Raiders bio) and brings veteran savvy. Las Vegas Raiders

  • Gap‑Shooting / Play Recognition: Roberts reads run/pass quickly, shoots the right gaps, and rarely hesitates when blitzing or filling run lanes.

  • Pass‑Rush Ability (from LB Spot): Over his career, he has generated 14.5 sacks, demonstrating he can contribute on blitz and stunt packages.

  • Tackling Volume & Consistency: He can rack up tackles — he set a high mark with 15 tackles in a game for the Steelers. CBS Sports

  • Leadership / Locker Room Presence: With years of experience and multiple Super Bowl rings, he brings steady leadership and professionalism.

  • Versatility: While primarily an inside linebacker, he has the athleticism and physical profile to align in different linebacker roles as needed.

Weaknesses

  • Coverage Limitations: His coverage skills are considered limited — he’s less effective in tight man coverage or against very athletic pass-catchers.

  • Size Constraints: At 5′11″ and 235 lbs, he is somewhat undersized for a traditional three-down linebacker role, especially in matchups vs bigger tight ends or power backs.

  • Declining Production Risk: Reports indicate his tackle numbers dropped in 2024, perhaps due to a reduced role or snap count. CBS Sports

  • Limited Splash in Takeaways: While he has forced fumbles, his interception and big-play turnover production is modest for a linebacker with his experience.

  • Age / Athletic Decline: At 31 (as of 2025), there's some risk that his athleticism or burst may decline, especially in pass coverage or lateral movement.

Fit & Outlook

Roberts projects as a high-IQ, physical veteran linebacker who can bring stability and leadership to the Raiders’ linebacker corps. His strengths make him particularly well-suited to base defenses where run support and gap integrity matter most. He can also contribute in sub-packages (blitzes, stunts) because of his ability to pressure the quarterback. Looking ahead, his outlook is solid but limited — he's unlikely to be a full-time three-down linebacker if coverage demands are high, but he can be a key complementary piece, especially in run-heavy fronts. In Las Vegas, he could be a mentor to younger LBs, a reliable starter on early downs, and a veteran piece in critical situations (short yardage, blitzing). If he stays healthy and continues to bring his physicality, he can remain a productive run-stopper and rotational piece for several more seasons, offering value well beyond just depth.