Why the Patriots drafted Northwest Missouri State DT Sam Roberts

Because the 2022 NFL draft went into the depths of the sixth spherical, the New England Patriots went into the depths of Division II.

New England did so to take Northwest Missouri State defensive sort out Sam Roberts at No. 200 total on Saturday afternoon.

Right here’s an preliminary glimpse into why.

Cliff Harris Award winner

The Cliff Harris Award, offered to the nation’s high small-school defensive participant, landed within the arms of Roberts following his last season at Northwest Missouri State. It’s the identical honor Patriots security Kyle Dugger secured at Lenoir-Rhyne earlier than turning into the highest decide within the group’s 2020 draft class.

Harris amassed 18 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks throughout 13 video games as a redshirt senior on the way in which to additionally turning into a second-team AP All-American and the 2021 MIAA Defensive Participant of the Yr.

The Bearcats’ protection conceded 12.1 factors allowed per sport and 223.6 yards allowed per sport final fall after not taking the sector the season prior on account of Covid-19.

A presence within the backfield

New England’s run protection allowed 4.5 yards per carry final common season.

Throughout Roberts’ 50 video games and 38 begins in Maryville, he amassed 47 tackles for loss, which amassed in 213 yards the opposite route for opposing offenses.

Alongside the way in which got here a complete of 184 tackles and 18.5 sacks to go together with a pair of pressured fumbles and an interception. For a 6-foot-4, 293-pound defensive lineman who initiatives as an inside-out developmental prospect on the subsequent degree, Roberts clocked the 40-yard sprint in a 5.1 seconds and a 10-yard cut up of 1.76 seconds at his professional day.

Lending a hand with 5 blocked kicks

Measuring in with 33 1/2-inch arms, Roberts had a hand in particular groups throughout his time at Northwest Missouri State.

A complete of 5 blocked kicks have been the consequence. These included a trio through the 2019 marketing campaign as Roberts tied for No. 6 within the nation.

The 24-year-old attended the Hula Bowl on the way in which to an invite to the East-West Shrine Sport. He now joins a bunch in New England that options Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Man, Christian Barmore, Deatrich Smart Jr., Carl Davis, Daniel Ekuale, Byron Cowart, Henry Anderson and Invoice Murray.