2015 NFL Draft: New England Patriots Select CB Darryl Roberts
The New England Patriots employed the services of the 247th overall pick the in the 2015 NFL Draft by selecting cornerback Darryl Roberts out of Marshall. It took the majority of the 2015 NFL Draft, but the Patriots finally got around to the cornerback position, and at first glance, this looks like a promising pick.
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First off, it looks like Roberts was one of the more overlooked cornerbacks in the 2015 NFL Draft class. Pair his blazing 40-yard dash time at the Marshall pro day with his arm length, suitable stature at 6-foot, and pure athletic ability, and there is weight to Mike Reiss’ claim that he was a combine snub.
More on CB Darryl Roberts, Patriots 7th-round pick. Was a combine snub. Ran 4.36 in the 40-yard dash at pro day. #NEpick
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 2, 2015
Darryl Roberts is an athlete. 6.66-second three-cone drill, 39" vertical, 11'1" broad jump, 4.36-second 40-yard dash at Marshall pro day.
— Erik Frenz (@ErikFrenz) May 2, 2015
Roberts uses his physical traits to his advantage in coverage. He racked up an eyebrow-raising 17 passes defended last season.
Wow. Darryl Roberts had 17 passes defended in 2014.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) May 2, 2015
There is not a corner on the Patriots roster that is taller than Roberts, so until he proves us wrong, he has to be considered a candidate to make the team despite his seventh-round draft status. Remember, Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler was an undrafted corner before he made his fame.
At the very least, Roberts stands to get plenty of special teams work with the possibility of earning playing time at corner depending on how the training camp battle plays out. Right now, Roberts is one of nine corners currenly listed on the Pats’ roster, so it will be a crowded depth chart until things are sorted out.
The main knock on Roberts is his aggressiveness down the field, as he was called for pass interference a handful of times in 2014. Without Brandon Browner in the mix, the Patriots had to find a corner who likes to get flagged (sarcasm).
All in all, the selection of Roberts in the seventh round is fine with this writer. The Patriots would have been berated all the way back to Foxboro if they didn’t come out of the 2015 NFL Draft without a corner, and Roberts was as good as any player available in the twilight hours of Day 3.