Elandon Roberts Bio
Elandon Roberts is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 235 pounds, he has built a career as a hard-hitting defender in the middle of the field. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion who has remained a starter for nearly a decade at the professional level.
Roberts played college football for the Houston Cougars after beginning his career at Morgan State. He entered the NFL when the New England Patriots selected him in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Over the years, he has also spent time with the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Raiders in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Elandon Roberts was born on April 22, 1994, in Port Arthur, Texas. He grew up in the same Southeast Texas community that produced many athletes, and he attended Memorial High School in Port Arthur. While in high school, he was a member of both the football team and the track and field team, which helped him develop the speed and physical conditioning that would later define his professional career.
Roberts came from a sports-minded family, and several of his relatives also pursued football at the college level. His cousin Jermire played football at the University of Iowa, and his cousin Calvin played football at Oklahoma State. Roberts has three siblings, including an older brother named Eli, an older sister named Elexsia, and a younger sister named Elondria. His family supported his athletic ambitions as he transitioned from high school sports into the college ranks.
Path to American Football
Roberts began his college career at Morgan State University in 2012, where he played as a freshman linebacker for the Bears. He finished that season with 107 tackles, which led the team and placed him second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. He also added nine tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, one interception, and two pass breakups. His strong play earned him a spot on the All-MEAC second team, and he finished 11th in voting for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the nation’s top freshman at the FCS level.
After his freshman season, Roberts transferred to the University of Houston, where he played from 2013 to 2015. As a sophomore, he appeared in eight games as a backup linebacker, and as a junior in 2014, he played in 12 games on defense and special teams. As a senior team captain in 2015, Roberts made 142 total tackles, leading the American Athletic Conference and ranking fourth in the nation. He was named first-team All-AAC for his performance, and he accepted an invitation to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he was part of the National team that defeated the American team 18–17.
Elandon Roberts Career
Early Career (2016)
The New England Patriots selected Roberts in the sixth round, 214th overall, of the 2016 NFL draft, making him the 27th linebacker taken that year. On May 7, 2016, the Patriots signed him to a four-year, $2.44 million contract that included a signing bonus of $100,356. Throughout training camp, he competed against several players for a roster spot as a backup linebacker, and head coach Bill Belichick ultimately named him the backup middle linebacker behind Dont’a Hightower to begin the regular season.
Roberts made his first NFL start on October 16, 2016, against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording seven tackles in a Patriots victory. Later that season, in a Week 16 matchup against the New York Jets, he led the team with 11 tackles and forced a fumble that was recovered by Malcolm Butler. On February 5, 2017, Roberts was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI, recording two tackles in the historic 34–28 overtime comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
New England Patriots Era (2016–2019)
Roberts entered the 2017 season as one of the Patriots’ starting linebackers and recorded his first two career sacks in a Week 12 win over the Miami Dolphins. He finished the year with 67 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, one pass defended, and one fumble recovery. Roberts helped the Patriots reach Super Bowl LII, where he recorded six tackles in a 41–33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2018, Roberts played in all 16 games with 11 starts, recording 65 tackles, 1.0 sack, and four passes defended as the Patriots finished 11–5. The Patriots then defeated the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs to reach Super Bowl LIII, where Roberts recorded one tackle in a 13–3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The win gave him his second Super Bowl ring.
In 2019, Roberts was voted a team defensive captain for the first time, replacing safety Patrick Chung. He was a key part of a linebacker group nicknamed “The Boogeymen” by teammate Dont’a Hightower. Beginning in Week 7, he played on offense as well as defense, primarily as a fullback after injuries to James Develin and Jakob Johnson. On December 29, 2019, Roberts scored his first career touchdown on a 38-yard pass from Tom Brady in a 27–24 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins Era (2020–2022)
On March 24, 2020, the Miami Dolphins signed Roberts to a one-year, $2 million contract that included a $1 million signing bonus. The move reunited him with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who had previously been the Patriots’ linebackers coach, and with former Patriots teammates Kyle Van Noy and Kamu Grugier-Hill. Roberts was named a starting inside linebacker alongside Jerome Baker. He played in 13 games with 11 starts, recording 61 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery before being placed on injured reserve on December 31.
Roberts re-signed with the Dolphins on March 24, 2021, and started all 17 games he appeared in, posting a career-high 83 tackles along with 1.0 sack, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and an interception. On March 18, 2022, he returned for a third season in Miami, finishing with 4.5 sacks and 107 total tackles while starting all 17 games.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023–2024)
On March 16, 2023, Roberts signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his first season, he recorded 2.5 sacks, 101 tackles, and two passes defended. In 2024, he finished with one sack and 46 total tackles. In the Wild Card Round, Roberts posted 14 tackles in a 28–14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, Roberts signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year, $3 million contract, joining the team as an experienced veteran linebacker. In the 2025 season, he played in all 17 games and recorded 90 tackles, one pass defended, and one fumble recovery, providing reliable production and leadership in the middle of the Raiders’ defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Roberts’ career has been defined by major team success and personal firsts. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, winning rings after Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. He scored his first career touchdown on a 38-yard pass from Tom Brady in 2019, and he was voted a defensive captain by his Patriots teammates in the same season.
Elandon Roberts Career Stats
Roberts has compiled 694 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 13 pass deflections, and 1 defensive touchdown across his NFL career through the 2025 season. His production has remained steady across multiple teams, and he has been a reliable every-down linebacker throughout his time in the league.
| Team | Years | Games | Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 2016–2019 | 62 | 190 | 4.0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 2020–2022 | 47 | 251 | 7.0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2023–2024 | 33 | 147 | 3.5 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2025 | 17 | 90 | 0.0 |
Elandon Roberts Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Roberts comes from a close-knit family with deep roots in Texas. He has three siblings, and several of his cousins also pursued college football. His cousin Jermire played football at the University of Iowa, and his cousin Calvin played football at Oklahoma State. His older brother Eli graduated from Sam Houston State University, his older sister Elexsia graduated from Wiley College, and his younger sister Elondria is a student at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
Personal Life
Roberts grew up in Port Arthur, Texas, and has remained connected to his hometown and family throughout his professional career. His journey from a Port Arthur high school athlete to a two-time Super Bowl champion reflects the strong family foundation that supported his path in football.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, Roberts appeared in all 17 games and finished the year with 90 tackles, one pass defended, and one fumble recovery. His veteran presence helped stabilize the Raiders’ linebacker group, and he delivered consistent production as a run-stopping inside linebacker throughout the year.
Roberts signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Raiders in March 2025, and he served as a key defensive leader on a team looking to build its identity. His ability to play both inside linebacker and fullback added valuable flexibility to the Raiders’ roster, and his experience from championship teams in New England provided guidance to younger players on the defense.
Roberts’ 2025 campaign added to a career total that now includes more than 690 tackles and 14 sacks across nearly a decade in the NFL. As he continues to perform at a high level, he remains a respected veteran presence whose leadership and toughness have shaped every defense he has joined.
