Detroit Lions draft tight end Michael Roberts

Michael Roberts has been through a lot on his way to Detroit and the NFL. Roberts' father spent time in jail, and he was suspended from elementary school before being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, per a story by NFL.com. His grandmother died of cancer just months before his younger brother was killed in an accidental shooting whenhe was 10 and Roberts was 17. Poor grades prevented Roberts from getting a scholarship, but he earned his way onto the Toledo football team, and was ultimately named that conference’s top tight end this past season. On Saturday, Roberts fulfilled a lifelong dream of playing in the NFL and being able to support his mother, after the Lions took him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. “Since I started my journey it’s always been about my mother and my grandma,” Roberts said in a conference call. “Even though I really don’t get a chance to support my grandmother, it’s still a dream for my mother. “It’s hard not to give your all when it’s a lot bigger than you. I never play for myself.” Roberts, who has the biggest hands of any player in this draft (11.5 inches), is hoping he can use those big mitts to make an impact right away, especially in the red zone in Detroit. He was a lethal red-zone threat for the Rockets as a senior in 2016. He became quarterback Logan Woodside's favorite red zone target, scoring 16 times (sixth-most in the FBS) on 45 receptions for 533 yards. He had over 80 percent of his career catches at Toledo go for first downs, and this past season saw 35.5 percent of his receptions go for touchdowns. He’s a big target at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, and shows the kind of strength that should help him develop as an in-line blocker with work. Roberts will join veterans Eric Ebron and Darren Fells for playing time at the tight end position.