A to Z Sports is reviewing the New England Patriots’ 2022 NFL Draft class ahead of the team’s upcoming organized team activities next week.

Next up in our Patriots 2022 NFL Draft review is a defender who spent the entire 2022 season on New England’s roster but played just 50 total snaps.

Round 6, Pick 200: Northwest Missouri State DT Sam Roberts

2022 Summary: Roberts played a very limited role as a rookie, appearing in just five games with 40 defensive snaps and 10 snaps on special teams. He finished the season with five tackles and two pressures.

What lies ahead: Roberts certainly isn’t guaranteed a roster spot as a second-year pro after largely being hidden on the 2022 roster as a rookie.

The 2021 Cliff Harris Award Winner — given to the best defensive player in Division II — will compete for snaps and roster spots with fellow defensive tackles Christian Barmore, Carl Davis, Daniel Ekuale, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Jeremiah Pharms and Justus Tavai. Since Roberts is a slimmer defensive tackle at 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, he could also be competing for snaps with edge defenders who can kick inside on passing downs like Deatrich Wise, Keion White and DaMarcus Mitchell.

Since there was a spot for Roberts in 2022, there very well could be in 2023, as well. The Patriots did not add a defensive tackle who’s guaranteed a roster spot this offseason. And one of the Patriots’ veteran defensive tackles certainly could be left off the team this summer.

But Roberts will need to show more this summer than he did during the 2022 season. The small-school defender did register six hurries during the preseason last year. He also blocked five kicks during his college career, though the trajectory on field goals might be just a bit lower at the Division II level.

Roberts is already 25 years old. He certainly has the potential for a bigger role if he can outplay guys like Davis and Ekuale in OTAs, minicamp and training camp. But he also could get bumped off the roster by a big edge defender like White, the Patriots’ 2023 second-round pick.

Other 2022 NFL Draft picks: OT Andrew Stueber, G Chasen Hines

Featured image via David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports