Bucs’ Round 5 Pick In Elijah Roberts; Will Move Him To Defensive Tackle
April 26th, 2025
UPDATED: After drafting an undersized and somewhat uniquely-sized edge rusher in Round 4, the Bucs got after the same position again with a very different body type.
Elijah Roberts out of Southern Methodist University is Tampa Bay’s fifth-round pick. At 6-4, 285 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms, he’s a very big man, almost a Cameron Jordan kind of frame. On SMU’s website, Roberts is actually listed 10 pounds heavier at 295.
Expect the Bucs to play him at defensive tackle. Joe has been told this by someone in the know.
Roberts was a grad student and a team captain last year as he racked up 35 tackles and 7 1/2 sacks. He had 10 sacks in 2023 after transferring in from the University of Miami, where he was a part-time player for three years.
Back-to-back edge rushers … Joe had to chuckle.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor said yesterday that “our depth at edge rusher gives me comfort.” It seems Licht just wanted a couple of extra pillows and a hot blanket.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
Semi-beast.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
great, hope our stable of edge players get home over and over. Somebody in that group is bound to be hot. We may need better coaching if this does not pan out. Lotsa edge and lotsa corner sounds good to me. Maybe somebody in this group can play linebacker if needed.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
Must feel some comfort at ILB too???
April 26th, 2025 at 3:14 pm
Thank you Licht, I was getting annoyed with the udfa depth on the d line he loves so much.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
Trust the process. Now we grab 2 ILB lol
April 26th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
I like him more than Walker. Very disruptive. Maybe an edge/DE tweener. He’s got a build similar to Logan Hall. Great 5th round pick.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
In Licht We Trust!!!
LFG!!!
April 26th, 2025 at 3:22 pm
We only have 1 more pick how we gonna turn that into 2 ILB’S?
April 26th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
Oh Yeah…glad he lasted until our pick. And yeah, he’ll be more DT….he’s strong. Im happy.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
wow his build with those 34 inch arms shows great potential
April 26th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
Now trade up and get a LB and we’re locked and loaded
April 26th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
what happened to our 6th round? We will have to find some UDFA
April 26th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
I watched his highlights and this dude was straight up Bullying offensive lineman I mean just knocking them straight on their backs! He played some pretty solid teams too, I like this pick his upside is through the roof. If he can manage to hold his own playing on the inside against NFL caliber lineman he will be able to make an immediate impact this season.
April 26th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Wanted Chris Paul Jr oh well
April 26th, 2025 at 4:06 pm
For people who don’t understand this, there is only 1 DT in a 3-4 scheme. The nose tackle.
The D-line in a 3-4 consists of 1 DT, 2 DE, and 2 OLB (or EDGE).
This guy is a protypical 3-4 DE.
April 26th, 2025 at 4:11 pm
Need a S and ILB. Really wanted ILB Bassa who got picked by the Chiefs right before Bucs picked Robert’s. Maybe we can still get Chris Paul Jr ILB or Justin Reed S somehow.
April 26th, 2025 at 4:25 pm
Thank you Erik. That is the base from which other formations play out in Bowles’ scheme. At least that is how I understand it.
April 26th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Didn’t KC jump in front of us , and take Bassa?
April 27th, 2025 at 2:29 am
Hmm wonder how Todd rotates this dude in to the mix? Could get interesting.
Go Bucs!