Can Darryl Roberts Start at CB for New England Patriots?
Can talented cornerback Darryl Roberts make a mark on New England Patriots’ defense?
Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler broke out in a big way for the New England Patriots last season. Bill Belichick and his staff obviously saw something in the former undrafted free agent, as they trotted him out there as their number one cornerback all season long.
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Butler was incredible last season, but was there another young cornerback who the Patriots saw similar upside in? Darryl Roberts was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh-round (247th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft, and he drew immediate rave reviews in the early part of training camp last season.
Roberts caught the eyes of many before last season, showing high-level athleticism and fantastic ball skills on the field. He even stepped in as the starting cornerback opposite of Butler in the Patriots’ first preseason game last season. The Patriots’ rookie appeared primed to have a significant opportunity to prove himself in the NFL.
Unfortunately, a wrist injury suffered in that first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, forced Roberts to miss the entire 2015 season. Logan Ryan stepped in as the Patriots’ starting cornerback opposite of Butler, and he was decent, but an improvement at the position would certainly be welcomed.
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Could a breakout campaign from Roberts come a year-later than expected?
He certainly has the raw skill-set to make an impact. According to Doug Kyed of NESN who highlights Roberts as a prime breakout candidate for the Patriots in 2016, Roberts tore up his Pro Day prior to the draft last year.
“He (Roberts) ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash with a 6.66-second 3-cone, a 4.06-second short shuttle, a 39-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot, 1-inch broad jump at 5-foot-11, 187 pounds at Marshall’s Pro Day last March. He also benched 225 pounds 23 times,” Kyed reported.
Also, look no further than the highlight reel from his senior season at Marshall below to see the natural coverage ability and fantastic ball skills.
Make no mistake about it, Roberts is a play-maker who will make an impact in coverage and is never afraid to come up and help in run support. He is especially impressive in man-to-man coverage, showing the ability to man-up against talented receivers on the outside. Obviously, NFL receivers are a different breed, but Roberts has the raw skill-set to at least hold his own.
As the incumbents, Butler and Ryan will enter camp as the favorites to start at the cornerback position. However, if the Patriots are being honest with themselves, they know that they can do better than Ryan at cornerback. Cyrus Jones is also expected to make an impact as a rookie, after being the Patriots first selection (second-round, 60th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft.
It may be a bit of an uphill climb, but do not forget about Roberts in this battle. The Patriots appeared ready to give him a shot to prove himself last season, but an injury got in the way.
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He is the same talented play-maker who impressed everyone last year. Keep an eye out for Darryl Roberts this preseason, he could become a real difference-maker for the New England Patriots.