Patriots trade for Lions' Roberts to bolster TE group

The New England Patriots acquired tight end Michael Roberts from the Detroit Lions on Thursday in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice, the Lions announced.

That pick is reportedly a conditional seventh-rounder in 2020, a source told Justin Rogers of The Detroit News.

Roberts, a fourth-round selection by the Lions in 2017, caught 13 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons. He played in eight games last year before a shoulder injury ended his campaign prematurely.

Detroit has now parted ways with every tight end who was on last year's roster after allowing Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo to depart in free agency.

The Lions aggressively revamped the disappointing group this offseason, signing free agent Jesse James and then using the eighth overall pick on former Iowa standout T.J. Hockenson.

Meanwhile, New England continues to cast a wide net to build up its tight end depth following the retirement of star Rob Gronkowski.

Veteran Benjamin Watson, who was signed out of retirement, is suspended for the first four games. Austin Seferian-Jenkins was also brought in, but the Patriots released him earlier in June due to personal reasons.

Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson, seventh-round pick Ryan Izzo, and undrafted rookie Andrew Beck round out New England's depth chart.

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