Five questions with Behind the Steel Curtain about the Raiders new linebacker
The Las Vegas Raiders brought in a new linebacker during free agency, nine-year veteran Elandon Roberts, to help bolster the defense and replace Robert Spillane.
Roberts spent the previous two years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so Silver and Black Pride reached out to our friends at Behind the Steel Curtain to see what the backer brings to the table. BTS’ Ryan Parish and Ryland Bickley were kind enough to share some insight with Raider Nation.
Q: Why did the Steelers allow Roberts to walk in free agency?
RP: I think most fans expected Roberts back on a short-term deal, but clearly that wasn’t the case. While I’m not privy to Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan’s reasoning, I think looking at who they replaced him with can give us a clue. Roberts will turn 31 years old in a month and did not play special team snaps. With the Steelers doing a soft rebuild, Roberts became expendable.
RB: Honestly, this one is a bit puzzling as the Steelers turned around and gave a bigger deal to Malik Harrison, who seems like a slightly worse version of Roberts. However, Harrison is younger, brings some edge versatility, and also has more special teams ability. The Steelers’ top linebacker duo is set with Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, so it seems they wanted some more youth and versatility at that depth spot. I would’ve preferred Roberts, but I get the logic.
Q: What did Roberts bring to Pittsburgh’s defense?
RP: Roberts brought physicality, attitude and excellent vision on early downs. If you want one play that summarizes what Roberts brings, look no further than this goal line rep against Dallas last year. As a run defender, Roberts is still a baller.
RB: Roberts played 44% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps in 2024, generally seeing more playing time against run-heavy offenses. He’s certainly not a sideline-to-sideline coverage linebacker, but his pairing with Queen allowed the Steelers to send him downhill on most of his snaps, where he’s at his best by far. Roberts brought his brand of energy and physicality to the defense, leaving his two years with the Steelers with plenty of memorable plays. Roberts just attacks blocks and gaps, and he nearly won the Steelers’ Week 5 game against the Cowboys with this incredible goal-line forced fumble:
I’d go to battle with Elandon Roberts any day of the week. #50 is a warrior. pic.twitter.com/UTaM0QLjrO
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) October 8, 2024
There’s a reason why Roberts left Pittsburgh as a fan favorite.
Q: As a veteran, is Roberts a team leader who can be a good mentor for young linebackers?
RP: I’m wary of giving character endorsements for someone I don’t personally know, but by all accounts, Roberts has been a true professional in his career. Steelers rookie Payton Wilson seemed to do well-sharing reps with him this past season, so I’d expect Roberts to continue to be a team player. His vision in run fits is also top-notch, so I’d expect a rookie could glean positive habits from working with Roberts.
RB: There aren’t many players who get the sort of sendoff Roberts did from the Pittsburgh media when it was announced he signed with the Raiders. While I’m not in the Steelers building myself, Roberts always seemed like a well-liked figure from what I saw, and you can’t tell me that his aggressive style of play isn’t a great influence to have in a linebacker room.
Q: What would you say Roberts’ biggest flaw is?
RP: Roberts’ main flaw comes on passing downs. The Steelers subbed Roberts out in their sub-packages because teams would pick on him in the passing game. Roberts will give you his maximum effort no matter what you ask him to do, but modern offenses will matchup hunt against him if he’s out there on passing downs.
RB: Roberts just isn’t great in coverage. He’s stiff in space with a limited tackling radius, and the Steelers used him almost exclusively as a downhill, early-down run-stuffer. He’s a good buck linebacker — a running mate to a more do-it-all talent on the inside — but excels within his limitations.
Q: Finally, what do you think Roberts’ floor and ceiling are for the rest of his career?
RP: I think Roberts will remind fans of another former Steelers linebacker: Robert Spillane. I think his ceiling is continuing to play solid reps in early downs and goal line situations. His floor would be a rotational piece that gets phased out during the season if your team finds a younger player they’d rather get reps to.
RB: At his age, I’d argue you know exactly what you’re getting with Roberts rather than floor/ceiling. If you put him in situations where he can attack downhill, whether that’s filling gaps and taking on blocks in the run game or blowing up a running back in pass protection, you’re getting an above-average defender who’s sure to be a fan favorite. He’s smart and physical in that role, and linebackers who succeed the way Roberts does generally have a longer shelf life. He’s on the wrong side of 30 now and he’s not going to get more athletic, but I think he’ll be a good deal for the Raiders if he’s allowed to play to his strengths.