If the Commanders Want a Big, Strong Defensive End, Consider Elijah Roberts

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Elijah Roberts, EDGE
School: Southern Methodist University | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Redshirt Senior | Draft Age: 23 (Week 1)
Height / Weight: 6’4”/ 285 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th-5th round

Player Comparison: Tyrone Crawford / Dayo Odeyingbo

College Statistics

Player Overview

A consensus four-star recruit out of high school, Elijah Roberts committed to his local university, playing for the Miami Hurricanes. However, due to struggling to find playing time, he transferred to Southern Methodist University in 2023. It was there his career took off, showing the talent that made him a highly sought recruit. Over 27 games in the last two seasons, Elijah Roberts totaled 72 combined tackles, 24 tackles for loss (TFL), 17.5 sacks, four passes defended, and four forced fumbles. He earned conference honors and was invited to the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.

Elijah Roberts is an intriguing power rusher with experience in 3-technique and standing up in wide 9 alignments. He has good, active hands that he uses to collapse the pocket. He uses this to his advantage to affect the run and passing game. Elijah is quick and violent enough to hit gaps before the guards can beat him to it. With Elijah being a violent tackler, it makes him a player to always account for. But power is mainly what Roberts has to rely on. A number of Elijah’s improvement stems from his lack of lateral agility desired for the position. His subpar change of direction, sideline pursuit, rushing bend, can be attributed to this. It makes Roberts a liability in space. In all, Roberts is projected to be a rotational defensive end with the upside of a starter. Roberts is projected to play in a 3-4 defense but he can also play in a 4-3. He is projected to be an early Day 3 selection in a deep edge defender draft class.

Awards & Recognition

• East-West Shrine Bowl participant (2025)
• Action Sport All-American First Team (2023)
• All-AAC Second Team (2023)
• All-ACC Honorable Mentions (2024)

Metrics

Strengths

• Heavy and stiff hands that stun tacklers and drive them back.
• Great linear power that drives tackles backwards.
• Able to squeeze rushing lanes.
• Quick to beat the guards to the gaps.
• Violent tackler, able to dislodge the ball from ball carriers.
• Hot motor with stamina to last all game.
• Able to stack and shed blockers.

Weaknesses

• Average lateral agility. Makes him a liability in space.
• Stiff when changing directions or sideline pursuits.
• Doesn’t have the speed or lateral agility to bend around tackles.
• Does not have a good backup plan when initial power moves fail.
• Stout, dense build but comes off as a “tweener”.
• Can get fooled by complex runs with misdirections and stunts.
• Has missed 17% of his tackles for his career.

Let’s See His Work

Interviews

How Will He Fit On The Team

EDGE is the premier position Washington has yet to properly address in the offseason. Depending on how the draft board goes, the Commanders are looking for an impactful player who can fill in their pass rush and upgrade the run defense. In the mold of previous players, Elijah Roberts has the looks and versatility of a Dan Quinn EDGE defender. He is an early Day 3 player who can set the edge in the run game and make tackles in the backfield. With great power rushing skill, Roberts can collapse the pocket, cause pressure, even if he doesn’t immediately get to the quarterback. Roberts might not have the freakish athleticism that comes with his size but he has the traits to be a rotational all-around contributor in the defensive line room. While Roberts does not have all the traits of a traditional 4-3 EDGE, he has the strength and effort you can not teach.