New England Patriots: 5 Second-year Players who Need to Step-up in 2016

Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Second-year cornerback Darryl Roberts:

New England Patriots
Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

The New England Patriots took Marshall cornerback Darryl Roberts with the 247th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. Throughout training camp and the first preseason game (which he started at cornerback) Roberts flashed NFL athleticism much like Malcolm Butler had done in 2014. Unfortunately for Roberts, he injured his wrist that game and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

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In practice, Roberts stood out with excellent ball-hawking skills, short-space quickness, and leaping ability and athleticism to make up for a lack of experience. Just like third year cornerback Logan Ryan–who carried that OTA, mini-camp, and training camp performance into the regular season–Roberts seemed primed to become the steal of the draft. Remember, in July much of the talk was how an athletic specimen like Roberts fell in the draft to New England.

Roberts should be at full strength for 2016 and it will be interesting to see if he can replicate his 2015 preseason performance and add much needed depth to the cornerback position. The Patriots have a solid core with young players Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan and Justin Coleman at cornerback, but a solid, speedy, and athletic fourth cornerback is much needed.

Next: Second-year tight end AJ Derby