New Lions TE Michael Roberts’ hands are enormous
The Detroit Lions selected Toledo tight end Michael Roberts in the fourth round of NFL Draft and his large hands should help him contribute right away.
You might have heard this already, but new Detroit Lions‘ tight end Michael Roberts has some big mitts. Like, historically massive hands.
Average hand size for a man (measured by stretching one’s hand and measuring from thumb to pinky), is about 7.5 inches wide according to the New York Times. Michael Roberts’ hands are four inches wider than that, stretching 11.5 inches across, which is just a quarter of an inch short of the NFL Combine record, held by DeForest Buckner and former Lions’ draft pick Gosder Cherilus.
I have big hands. Toledo TE Michael Roberts has bigger hands. pic.twitter.com/Nz8RBA9pAe
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) January 25, 2017
His hands provide an obvious advantage, especially when battling for contested throws. Roberts caught 66 passes in his last two seasons at Toledo, including an outstanding 16 touchdowns on 45 receptions his senior year. Over 80 percent of his career receptions went for first downs in college.
TE Michael Roberts Jr #Toledo 6043/261 Double move-mid stem on rt. w/GD Hands/Body Ctrl making reception over LB to ground. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/FdyEYUp3nC
— Matt Caraccio (@Matty_S2S) January 26, 2017
Roberts has a big frame to match his hands, although the rest of his measurables are a little below average. Still, his size and hands alone should make him a valuable redzone threat, especially when lined up against corners. Lance Zeirlein of NFL.com also says that Roberts is a “very capable run blocker.”
Michael Roberts ended up with a disappointing #RAS, but his size and incredible hands should keep him draftable on most boards. pic.twitter.com/rLvkMGwhfK
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2017
Roberts will likely start the preseason as the Lions’ number-two tight end and will compete for time with 2016 UDFA and camp star Cole Wick. Mark Dulgerian of NFL.com suggests that offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter “can get back to featuring his favored 2-TE sets with Roberts now on the roster.”
Roberts will likely draw some mismatches simply due to the Lions’ large group of effective pass catchers, including Golden Tate, Marvin Jones Jr., Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron, as well as fellow rookie Kenny Golladay.
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The Lions are currently in organized team activities and will open their preseason on August 13 at 1:30 on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.