The Tampa Bay Buccaneers bolstered their defensive front a second consecutive time on Saturday afternoon, using pick number 157 in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft to snag SMU defensive lineman Elijah Roberts. A penetrating type of interior lineman who pressured quarterbacks relentlessly in college, Roberts joins Central Arkansas's David Walker, an ultra-productive edge rusher selected in the fourth round.
Roberts manned multiple spots on SMU's defensive line, and while his 17.5 sacks the past two seasons were impressive, the sheer volume of his pressures on opposing quarterbacks was even more compelling for a Buccaneers team hoping to get after the passer more frequently in 2025.
Roberts will join a defensive line corps in Tampa centered around former first-round picks Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea, the team's two leading sack artists in 2024 with 7.5 and 7.0, respectively.
"He actually has played on the edge in college a little bit, so I think he has the versatility to potentially play out there a little bit, maybe on run downs," said Vice President of Player Personnel Mike Biehl. "But he's definitely going to be in the D-Line room."
Roberts an extremely strong interior lineman who converts a quick get-off into power rushes but also moves well laterally and can shoot gaps upfield quickly. Like his new teammate, Walker, he also plays with an intense, non-stop mentality.
"Another one who plays with a really high motor," said Biehl. "He's strong and tough. He gets after the quarterback. He's another one who wins a lot with technique, instincts and effort. He's got a relentless style of play, which is very similar to David Walker in that way.
"I also think that he's got enough grit and toughness to him, and strength, that he can hunker down, too, but he definitely has some twitch to get upfield and shoot gaps. He's not Calijah Kancey, but that's the type of player we're talking about."
Tampa Bay's defensive line group also includes veterans Logan Hall, Greg Gaines and C.J. Brewer, but the Buccaneers think there will be room for Roberts to contribute right away.
"With the way our defensive line is set up, this guy has a chance to contribute as a rookie and be in the mix, for sure," said Biehl.
