Elandon Roberts, ILB
School: Houston | Conference: American Athletic Conference
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 235 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 6th Round
NFL Comparison: Denzel Perryman
College Statistics
Player Overview
Elandon Roberts has literally come out of nowhere and had one of the best statistical seasons by an inside linebacker in all of college football. He started his career at Morgan State before he transferred to Houston. In 2013, he was a backup linebacker. In 2014, he was more involved in special teams. In 2015, he dominated. Roberts has great instincts and the speed and athleticism to make plays. This past year he had whopping 19 tackles for loss. Roberts has a nose for the ball, he puts his head down and goes after it leading to some impressive plays. Robert's knows he's likely a late round draft pick but he ensures whatever team he goes to is going to be happy and he wants those who pass him up to regret it.
Strengths
- Speed and athleticism to play sideline to sideline.
- Disciplined in his targets, he aims for the ball carrier and brings them down without hesitation.
- When asked to pass rush up the middle in between the C and G he's very effective.
- Great instincts and intelligence for the position, he is in his element at inside backer.
- Overall solid tackler. He also has the hands to get off blocks, doesn't get stuck in the trash much.
Weaknesses
- Coverage skills need so work. He is best at defending the run and rushing the passer, not covering TE's.
- Could stand to gain a few more pounds if it doesn't affect his speed, he's a bit small for the position.
- Sometimes he tries to tackle ankles and he ends up missing.
Houston Cougars middle linebacker Elandon Roberts making his NFL case at NFLPA Collegiate Bowl https://t.co/c9fdfRKvXW via @HoustonChron
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 23, 2016
Elandon Roberts and Will Jackson are big time defenders for Houston's defense.
— Matthew Coca (@MatthewCocaCBS) December 31, 2015
Elandon Roberts (LB, Houston) is undersized, but is a good athlete with good instincts. Stood out when I was evaluating the Peach Bowl.
— Ethan Young (@NFLDrafter) January 9, 2016
How He Would Fit on the Redskins
What is the biggest jump a player has ever made from being unknown with no foreseeable future in the NFL to potentially being 5th round pick or higher? I watched a couple Houston games and I saw #44 flash across the screen so much I had to look up who this guy was. Before mid-December, Twitter, Draftbreakdown, Youtube, all the talking heads and their top 150 players list made NO mention of Elandon Roberts. I thought I was crazy. How could no one be talking about him? How could he be listed as a 7th round pick and even UDFA with the year he had? I don't know. But what I do know is Elandon Roberts is a hell of a football player. He seems to be what McCloughan looks for physically in his mid to late round inside linebackers (see Martrell Spaight measurables). He is tough, gritty, and violent. He has a great motor, he has great instincts for the position, and he has great athleticism. He is truly a gem in my view. I don't know if I'm being naive by projecting him so high but I think he's going to be an under the radar riser on many draft boards. Roberts is most definitely the MIKE linebacker in a 3-4 scheme and if drafted by the Redskins he could challenge for a starting role as a rookie.