Signed early on in free agency, Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts faces a tall task in his new home.
With the departures of starting linebacker duo Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo, Roberts walked into a position group facing a complete overhaul. Fortunately, Roberts does not have to do this alone, as the team also signed the likes of Germaine Pratt and Devin White to keep the depth strong. That said, Roberts was pencilled in as a day one starter for a defense going under some transformation, which could pose a challenge as he looks to have a strong season.
However, Roberts remains undeterred as he begins his first training camp with his new team.
Roberts is focused on embracing the new opportunity in front of him.
Before training camp began, Roberts talked about how he was approaching the offseason in Las Vegas.
“Not taking it for granted. Not taking your opponents for granted, not taking what you do for granted, not taking your teammates, your coaches, even the relationships you build with the media for granted. Because it all reflects on you and stuff like that. And one thing about myself, my dad’s a military guy, so I’m very structured. I’m very to the point. Up here right now, you might be like, ‘He’s going to not look like a fun guy, he might just want to talk football all day.’ But it’s not that, it’s a standpoint, it’s a time and a place for everything,” Roberts said.
That mentality has helped guide Roberts to a long NFL career.
A ten-year veteran of the league, the Raiders are Roberts’s fourth team in that span. Drafted in the sixth round by the New England Patriots in 2016, Roberts has also had stops with the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite a down 2024, Roberts was at his best the two years prior, where he crossed the 100-tackle threshold both seasons.
Now with the Raiders, Roberts hopes to get back to his game and be a stabilizing presence in the middle of the defense.
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