After being drafted as an edge rusher out of college, Elijah Roberts has spent training camp and the preseason learning how to rush from the interior for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So far, the switch has gone according to plan, with Roberts doing his best to solidify a role on the 53-man roster.
The rookie has continued to showcase how comfortable he’s becoming on the interior, finishing the preseason with his best game against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Todd Bowles and the rest of the Buccaneers organization have been paying close attention, and are impressed so far.
“[Roberts has] gotten better every week,” Bowles said. “He’s putting it together and he’s starting to play with a lot of confidence.”
Moving Inside Could Unlock Roberts’ Skill Set
Listed at 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, Roberts has the build to play anywhere on the defensive line. His frame fits perfectly into a defense like Bowles’, constantly trying to keep offenses guessing by moving players around to help generate pressure.
“Up front, we pride ourselves on trying to get pressure without the blitzes,” Roberts said. “But even when we do add that [linebacker] blitz, it’s really just on us. It’s a lot of stuff, a lot of communication, but that’s why [my teammates]… they’ve been helping me out so much.”
At SMU, Roberts showcased his ability to get after the quarterback, tallying 17.5 sacks in his final two years of college. His mix of power and speed made it hard for offensive linemen to keep him in check.
The combo of skills has carried over to NFL competition with the Buccaneers, with Roberts showcasing his toolbelt in all three preseason contests. He finished game three against the Bills with a sack, two pressures and a hurry.
Despite not being used to rushing against guards and centers throughout the majority of his career to this point, Roberts has been gaining an understanding of the similarities, as well as the differences.
“I don’t think it’s too different,” Roberts said. “I guess the biggest difference is that it happens a lot faster. When you get guards, they kind of like to jump you a lot.”
One Thing Is Keeping Roberts From the Starting Lineup
Throughout his time with the Buccaneers, Roberts has shown his prowess as a pass rusher, even from the inside, but is still working to improve his skills at defending the run. Coming out of the draft, Tampa Bay knew that would be the area to work on, and the hope is that he continues to develop.
Bowles compared the 23-year-old to Logan Hall, a great athlete and pass rusher coming out, who needs to grow as a run defender. With more time and experience in the interior, Roberts could become one of the league’s top threats from the inside.
The rookie struggled against the run at times during the preseason, especially in his first game, but seemed to settle in over time. Roberts knows that’s the area of his game he needs to work on, and is prepared to do anything he can to improve.
“I’ve been more focused on the run game,” Roberts said. “Going from a [defensive] end to a [defensive] tackle, I’ve just been focused on the run game a lot more than the pass rush.”
Buccaneers Fifth-Round Rookie Settling in Nicely to New Position