Elijah Roberts Talks Family, Combine And Feeling Like He Made It
May 5th, 2025
Bucs rookie fifth-round pick Elijah Roberts, the versatile defensive lineman out of SMU.
So what is Buccaneers rookie Elijah Roberts all about.
Joe’s been sniffing around, which included a Mustang Mood Podcast episode.
The Bucs picked the versatile defensive lineman (think Will Gholston) in Round 5 out of Southern Methodist University. SMU was among the surprises in college football last season.
A beloved player there, Roberts sat down for a chat in March and Joe’s got some nuggets in no particular order.
*Roberts’ favorite part of the NFL Scouting Combine was being on the field and picking the brains of top prospects. Joe thought that was interesting since so many players mention meeting coaches in meetings.
*No-brainer for Roberts to attend the University of Miami out of high school as a local kid. But he says it also was a no-brainer to transfer to SMU, citing academics, alumni programs, playing time and overall school assistance off the field. He says SMU wanted him to be “that guy” on its defensive line and that’s what he wanted.
*He loved the coaching at SMU and how deeply his coached cared about him in all aspects of life. Roberts sounded like a guy far more impressed by his SMU experience than any other.
*Loved beating Florida State last season 42-16. He said it was SMU’s first ACC game of the 2024 campaign and let him know something special was happening for the team and for him. SMU finished 11-3 after a trip to the college football playoffs as the No. 11 seed.
*At the Combine, Roberts noted that being in the NFL players union orientation meeting made him feel like the NFL was “real” for him, like he really made it. “Man, I feel I’m in the league right now. It’s crazy because little stuff like that kind of gets you excited.” As for how the NFLPA counsels rookies, Roberts summed it up simply. “Just don’t be dumb,” he said.
*Roberts says his dad is “the biggest Cowboys fan in the world.” … “I’m talking about our whole household growing up was all Cowboys fans. It’s crazy.” Personally, Roberts said he was always more of a football fan in general than a Cowboys fan, though Roberts said he is a huge admirer of Micah Parsons’ game and made it clear he wouldn’t mind staying in Dallas (SMU’s home) to play for the Cowboys.
*Don’t expect a signature sack celebration from Roberts. He says he’s more of a screamer and a guy who will flex for the cameras.
May 5th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Good luck kid.
May 5th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
With all the FA next year — Evans, LVD, Zion, Goedeke, Otton, Hall — Hall might be the guy that doesn’t get the bag.
Elijah Roberts could take over with a year under his belt. He was very productive at SMU. 17.5 sacks and 23 TFL in the last two years.
May 5th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Seems like a quick insider rusher to me, replacing Hall on passing downs. I’m ready for Joe to see him in OTA’s and I’m ready to watch him in camp. LFG!
May 5th, 2025 at 1:39 pm
They compare him to Gholston but there are differences:
Gholston –> 40 = 4.96 secs / Total prospect score = 64
Roberts —> 40 = 4.78 secs / Total prospect score = 69
For what that’s worth… Elijah Roberts is a little quicker and more athletic.
May 5th, 2025 at 1:46 pm
He had a faster 40 than Gholston or Hall. He grades as a decent defensive end prospect but a really athletic tackle prospect. I like the fact they can move him around a bit. His versatility would be helpful to Bowles.
May 5th, 2025 at 1:54 pm
Kancey gonna go off so anything will help.
Don’t count out Hall either. Contract year.
He could come out Hulked Up.
May 5th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
We need all the help we can get on the defense.
The guy coaching that side is drunk at the wheel.
He’ll probably have Roberts dropping back in pass coverage against a WR1.
That’ll be fun to watch.
#FireBowlesNow
May 5th, 2025 at 2:20 pm
I don’t want Hulked Up Hall if he is only hulking up to get a contract.
And as for Gholston being less athletic than the rookie, I’d have to see it in the field. Gholston is damn near ROH.
May 5th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
Seems like a strong dude and better suited at the inside. He plays a little high but even then he outworks and muscles offensive lineman aside. Looks like he can shed blockers and keeps his eyes in the backfield. Lots of room for improvement but a very versatile defensive lineman who lined up on the edge for SMU quite a bit, but will probably line up inside for us. Not a lot of bend but plenty of power. Great replacement for Will Gholston who was a great Buccaneer.
May 5th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
I wouldn’t have guessed that he was a Barry Manilow fan.
May 5th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
@ToddBowles#1 Says: Super Bowl year we didn’t have our edge rushers dropping in to pass coverage because they could actually rush the passer when you don’t have people that can rush the passer you have to put them in a different scheme free up somebody else to rush the passer do a little film work before dumping On a guy that is dealing with Brady’s debt for the last couple years and a bunch of rookies and dumpster dived free agents
May 5th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
ToddBowles#1—
This is a true, honest question without prejudgement, not the prevalent kind you find here when someone labels you an idiot or moron (maroon once for me) if you fail to adopt their so-called mindset.
So, why would you call yourself Todd Bowles, a man (judging by your hashtag sign-off) you supposedly want fired?
I’m no fan of Mussolini, so the last thing I’d do is refer to myself as Il Duce in dictatorfan.com, but that’s me.
Please, share your rationale. I’m curious.
May 5th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
I’m so happy Licht took my advice.
2 corners. Brilliant. I love double drafting some years.
Competition for Hall. Much needed. I think he may be able to learn Kanceys position also. But he’s not a NT.
I’m also happy we signed Watson.
But I think we still need another NT.
Watson may not make the team guys.
He didn’t do that much in college.
I think Walker is strong enough to rush from inside like Aaron Donald.
I also want Vea getting more snaps at OLB. On the edge.
1 on 1 with the OT. At least twice per game.
If you drop Vea every game, the least you could do is let him rush from the edge a couple times per game!!
May 5th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
We got a crop of awesome humans, and a mosquito. Pretty darn good draft.
May 5th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
@JA
He calls himself that sarcastically after changing his name @ least 3 times already. He does that after he outs himself as a bigot, or in some cases to agree with himself 🤣
Perhaps he’ll answer you but more likely not. He usually scurries along when asked questions.
May 5th, 2025 at 3:39 pm
JA Says:
“Please, share your rationale. I’m curious.”
Excellent question sir. Very well thought out.
It’s really just a way for me to poke fun at the coach.
And to get on the nerves of the overly sensitive amongst us.
My opinion is that we will not reach our potential until he is shown the door.
“I’m no fan of Mussolini, so the last thing I’d do is refer to myself as Il Duce in dictatorfan.com” – Hilarious my friend. Gave me a good chuckle.
Curious to hear your thoughts on the draft and the defense. Cheers!
May 5th, 2025 at 3:45 pm
Hopefully this guy can be a solid rotational piece for us especially against the run. Sacks would be a bonus.
Goals on defense =
No regression against the run
Improved pass rush (especially with 4)
Better coverage and more takeaways
*All easily attainable with new additions 🤞🏼
We’re going to need another draft (or FA) to fully address ILB and D-line depth but we should field a much improved D this season imo. Only so much you can do with 6 draft picks.
May 5th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
El hefe Says:
“Super Bowl year we didn’t have our edge rushers dropping in to pass coverage because they could actually rush the passer”
Well if that truly is the case, then the coach can’t do his job effectively on coaching up his players on defense.
And the GM is responsible for the roster construction.
Also, try using some punctuation when constructing a paragraph.
Looks like a kindergartner typed that out for you.
May 5th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
All this Gholston reference. What were gholstons college sack numbers? He’s always been a run stopper first and an occasional sack. This guy seems like way more pass rush upside.
May 5th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
just let one of our two DL/edge picks become a beastly qb eater and we will have done just fine…
i thought we would draft 2, and we did…
i never thought we’d draft 2 wr’s and 2 cb’s…
i had us drafting one of each tho…
but just let one of our new front line guys pan out…we’ve had so much difficulty developing one over the years…
just one is not asking for too much
May 5th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Let not all lose our heads for this fifth round pick. I believe Logan Hall was a second round pick out of Houston and he hasn’t set the world on fire since being drafted.
May 5th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
Several things to like about Elijah Roberts, but we might want to let him take the field against NFL beasts before we crown him better than Logan Hall. Here’s what NFL dot com had to say about him on his draft profile …
‘Productive base end with good play strength who continues to add weight to his frame. Roberts has chalked up stats as a standing defender but isn’t athletic enough to play as a 3-4 outside ‘backer in the NFL and might not have the brutality to play inside at three-technique despite his size. Roberts won’t win the rush with speed or quickness but he can collapse the pocket with a finesse-to-power rush transition. He is slow to read and react to mesh points and counters. He’s also a wildly inconsistent arm tackler. The production could earn him an opportunity, but it might not be translatable as a base defensive end in the pros.’
What I read in there is … ‘Needs development’. Hmmm, seems like most rookies do, some more than others. Elijah spent 3 years at Miami (2020-2022), pretty much exclusively as a reserve (1 start). Very successful for the 2 years he spent at SMU (particularly like the 17.5 sacks). Part of that could be maturity, part coaching, but part quality of opponents. We’ll find out soon enough.
NFL dot com listed him as a ‘Average backup or Special Teamer’, and the list of weaknesses they tagged him with will take some work to do away with. Logan Hall’s been steadily improving, and I suspect that he’ll still get the bulk of the def snaps.
May 5th, 2025 at 6:12 pm
El hefe Says:
May 5th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
@ToddBowles#1 Says: Super Bowl year we didn’t have our edge rushers dropping in to pass coverage because they could actually rush the passer when you don’t have people that can rush the passer you have to put them in a different scheme free up somebody else to rush the passer.
____________________________________
Actually our edge rushers did still drop in coverage at times that season too. That has always been a facet of Bowles’ schemes. Devin White was blitzing on the regular.
In fact, JPP had 2 INTs that season.
Also, have you ever heard of using a period and forming sentences my man?
May 5th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
ToddBowles——
Thanks for the reply.
As for the draft, I’m no fan of a WR pick in round #1. Thought we covered the WR need last year with McMillian, who produced admirably in my mind. Our problem was not scoring points, it was keeping opponents from scoring more. With that, I’d have gone with Campbell.
The rest of the draft? I liked the picks, but nobody, including me, knows whether they have had a successful draft until the games are played. That’s why I believe draft grades from “experts” are akin to palm readers or seers who claim to have an inside track into the unknown.
May 5th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Sounding like if he plays well for us 1st chance at free agency he’ll go play for Dallas
May 5th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
This just in.
He might play great. Or he might suck. Or neither.
But what is a fact is, he’s been drafted by the Buccaneers and is happy to be in the NFL, and seems like a good human. Or plays one on TV.
May 5th, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Yes Hall was a Second but he didnt have the pass rush moves this kid does coming out
May 5th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
I was pushing for him, i know what I saw. A lot of power and fast for his size.
May 5th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
dude isa grown ass man at a very young age.
solid pic
May 5th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
Love this Pick. Solid rotationsl piece for years to come
Looking 4ward to seeing what numbers our Rookies pick ..
May 5th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
Awesome article.
May 5th, 2025 at 9:52 pm
Best part is how a diehard cowgirls fan now will be rooting for the Bucs. And wearing Bucs gear. Good for him. Gets to root for a real team. Am i right? Liking this new draft class. Go Bowles!
May 5th, 2025 at 10:15 pm
Great article Joe!
EJ is a legit NFL prospect.
We got a steal!!!
May 5th, 2025 at 11:55 pm
Has anyone seen him in person anywhere? Just wondering what his frame looks like – can he put on 10-15lb of muscle? He really needs to at least do that to be a 3-4 DE. Not saying he can’t, or rooting against him or anything, just wondering what his frame looks like and if he’s close to maxed out already. Obviously the Bucs know this, so I assume he’s got room to grow still. In any case, when you talk about putting on muscle, I still remember the first time I saw Tyji Armstrong with his shirt off warming up at a Bucs game – what a man, what a very very strong man, looked like a roided up 80s professional wrestler, moved like one too. I’m not joking, that guy was the most jacked up person I’ve ever seen in real life.
May 6th, 2025 at 5:15 am
Sounds like if I had a son I would love for him to attend SMU. Doubt they had many knuckleheads.
We are gonna have to work on making Mr Roberts a YaYa or a Shaq fan though. LOL
Go Bucs!