The Bucs continued to add to their defense as the 2025 NFL Draft rolled on into the fifth round. With the No. 157 overall pick, Tampa Bay selected SMU defensive lineman Elijah Roberts.
Roberts is a unique prospect in that he was primarily an edge rusher in college, starting for two seasons at SMU after transferring in from Miami. At 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, he was a unique, big-bodied pass rusher off the edge. He was announced by the Bucs as a defensive lineman, though, which could mean he’ll be kicking inside to play tackle in Tampa Bay. He certainly has the frame and skill set to do so, even if he has minimal experience inside. Overall, 1,211 of his 1,530 snaps came outside the tackle.
New Bucs DL Elijah Roberts Photo by: USA Today
As a pass rusher, Roberts into his strengths — both his long arms and power — in order to affect the quarterback. Roberts had 131 pressures over the last two seasons, which ranked No. 1 in the FBS. His range was inconsistent when working off contact against the run, but he certainly holds his own at the point of attack. And while power is the focal point of his game, he has good short-area quickness, which helps him against the run, too.
After growing up in South Miami, Roberts started his college career at Miami, though he struggled to make an impact with the Hurricanes during his three seasons in Coral Gables. He had just a half-sack and 1.5 tackles for loss in 20 games (one start) there before transferring to SMU in 2023.
With the Mustangs, Roberts rejuvenated his college career. He was a Second Team All-AAC selection in 2023, a season that saw him post 10 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed. Then, after SMU made the move to the ACC in 2024, he finished his career in Dallas with 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed.
Tampa Bay kept its interest in Roberts under wraps, with no reported meetings with him at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. In his first interview with local media on Saturday afternoon, he confirmed as much, saying he didn’t hear from the team all that much throughout the pre-draft process compared to other teams.
With Elijah Roberts, Bucs Add Depth Up Front On Defense
New Bucs DL Elijah Roberts Photo by: USA Today
The versatility Roberts has to his game should help Bucs head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles as he tries to get more out of his group in 2025, and his ability to get after the quarterback can help in the team’s efforts to improve its four-man pass rush this season.
Roberts kicking inside and playing along the defensive line helps a great deal in terms of Tampa Bay’s depth, something the team needed heading into Day 3.
With two-time Pro Bowler Vita Vea and 2024 team sack leader Calijah Kancey, the Bucs already have two star defensive linemen in place. After those two, it gets a bit murkier. Yes, the defensive line does also feature Logan Hall, who is entering his fourth season and coming off a bit of a breakout year with a career-high 5.5 sacks. But he’s also entering a contract year, and his future in Tampa is uncertain right now.
And even after Hall, there’s little depth along the defensive line for the Bucs. Greg Gaines and Mike Greene are just about it, so it was only a matter of time before Jason Licht added to the room in this draft, which was widely regarded as being a deep one at the defensive tackle position.
Welcome to Tampa Bay, Elijah Roberts!