Elijah Roberts

ACQUIRED BY BUCS:

Selected by the Buccaneers as a fifth-round pick (157th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft.

ACQUIRED BY BUCS:

Selected by the Buccaneers as a fifth-round pick (157th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Was 1-of-4 rookies to record five-or-more quarterback hits, three-or-more passes defensed and 2.0+ sacks in 2025, joining Cleveland's Carson Schwesinger, Cincinnati's Demetrius Knight and Atlanta's James Pearce Jr. Roberts was the only member of this group selected outside of the top-50 in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Recorded 21 quarterback pressures in 2025, tied for the second-most among rookie interior defensive linemen. His 7.3% quarterback pressure rate also ranked second among rookie interior defensive linemen.

2025 HIGHLIGHTS:

Made his NFL debut in the Week 1 victory in Atlanta, appearing on special teams and in a reserve capacity on defense. Played nine defensive snaps and six special teams snaps.

Played 13-of-49 defensive snaps in the Week 2 win in Houston, finishing with one tackle, one quarterback hit and a half-sack split with Lavonte David.

According to Pro Football Focus, Roberts finished as Tampa Bay's highest-graded defensive player in Week 2.

Per Next Gen Stats, Roberts' 2.30 second average time to pressure was the highest of any Tampa Bay front seven player in Week 2.

In the Week 3 win over the New York Jets, played 39-of-69 defensive snaps and recorded one quarterback hit and one pass defensed. Generated four quarterback pressures.

Per Pro Football Focus, was Tampa Bay's second-highest graded front seven player in the Week 3 win over the Jets.

Played 26-of-57 defensive snaps in Week 4 vs. Philadelphia, tallying one tackle for loss. It marked his first career TFL.

In the Week 5 win at Seattle, appeared in a reserve capacity on defense, playing 12 snaps and recording one tackle.

Played 35-of-69 defensive snaps in the Week 6 win over the 49ers, amassing one tackle, one quarterback hit and a half-sack.

Per Next Gen Stats, was credited with generating four quarterback pressures on a 15.4% pressure rate in Week 6, despite absorbing 11 double-team

blocks.

Made his first career start in Week 7 at Detroit, playing 46-of-68 defensive snaps and logging two tackles, one quarterback hit, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.

Started in the Week 8 win at New Orleans, playing 48-of-72 defensive snaps and finishing with two tackles.x In Week 10 vs. New England, started and played 41-of-61 defensive snaps, finishing with two tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit, one pass defensed and 1.0 sack.

Roberts' sack in Week 10 marked his second of the season, which was tied (with Jacob Parrish, among others) for the third-most by a rookie in the NFL at the time.

With his performance in Week 10, Roberts became one of four rookies in 2025 to record a sack and a pass defensed in the same game, with the other three all being first-round selections (Atlanta's Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., and Arizona's Walter Nolen).

Started in Week 11 at Buffalo, playing 38-of-56 defensive snaps.

Played 25-of-56 defensive snaps in Week 12 at the Los Angeles Rams, totaling one tackle.

Started in the Week 13 win over Arizona, playing 35-of-61 defensive snaps and tallying one tackle. According to Next Gen Stats, produced four quarterback pressures, including a team-high-tying three "quick" (sub-2.5 seconds) pressures. His 2.38 average time to pressure was the best mark of any Buccaneers starter.

In Week 14 vs. New Orleans, started and played 32-of-58 defensive snaps, recording one tackle.

Played 43-of-71 defensive snaps in Week 15 vs. Atlanta, contributing an additional six special teams snaps.

In Week 16 at Carolina, appeared in a reserve capacity on defense, logging 20 defensive snaps. Also appeared on six special teams snaps.

Started in Week 17 at Miami, playing 30-of-55 defensive snaps. Also appeared on seven special teams snaps.

In the Week 18 win over Carolina, started and played 15-of-51 defensive snaps, recording one tackle.

COLLEGE:

Appeared in 49 career games across two seasons at Southern Methodist University (2023-24) and three seasons at the University of Miami (2020-22), totaling 93 tackles, 26.0 tackles for loss, 18.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

Led the FBS in quarterback pressures across the 2023-24 seasons, tallying 131 over that span.

Helped lead SMU to back-to-back Conference Championship Game appearances and a berth in the 2024 College Football Playoff.

Was named a team captain as a senior in 2024 and led SMU's defensive line in both sacks and tackles for loss.

As a senior in 2024, earned second-team All-AAC honors after appearing in 13 games and recording 35 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass defensed. Earned a 91.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus that season, tied for the second-highest mark for all FBS edge defenders.

During his junior season in 2023, was named honorable mention All-AAC after starting all 14 games and tallying 37 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

Across three seasons at the University of Miami (2020-22), saw action in 24 games and combined to tally 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 0.5 sacks.

PERSONAL:

Attended Christopher Columbus High School (Miami, Fla.).

Majored in sports management at SMU.

Was a consensus four-star recruit and the No. 13 strongside defensive end in the nation by 247Sports.

Was part of a state championship team in high school and earned first-team all-state recognition.

Is the son of George Roberts Jr. and Shanda Roberts.

Has six siblings.

COMMUNITY:

Is an advocate for his mother's nonprofit organization called Pain 2 Purpose — committed to ending domestic violence.