Meet the New York Jets’ dream Day 3 draft fit: SMU defensive lineman Elijah Roberts.
Elijah Roberts’ player profile
A four-star recruit hailing from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami-Dade County, Roberts began his college career at Miami, where he played sparingly over three seasons. The defensive lineman appeared in just 20 games for the Hurricanes, finishing with 0.5 sacks before transferring to SMU ahead of the 2023 season.
Roberts found his stride in Dallas. Over two years with the Mustangs, he played in 27 games, totaling 17.5 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles.
In addition to his box-score production, Roberts stands out for his ability to generate consistent pressure. The Jets’ defense lacked this in 2024.
Roberts ranked second among FBS edge rushers with 71 total pressures in 2023. He declined to 60 pressures in 2024 (in one fewer game), but that still ranked sixth at the position.
In addition, Roberts’ run defense is considered excellent. He earned a 79.5 run defense grade from PFF in 2023 and jumped to 81.5 in 2024.
Elijah Roberts’ pre-draft testing
At 285 pounds and a shade under 6-foot-4, Roberts impressed scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine, clocking a 4.78-second 40-yard dash. That mix of size, burst, and versatility allowed him to line up both on the edge and inside at SMU while fueling his rapid rise up draft boards.
While mostly used as a traditional 4-3 defensive end, Roberts also has experience inside as a 3-tech interior presence. In 2024, he played 10.6% of his defensive snaps on the interior. SMU even played Roberts off the ball at times. He lined up as an off-ball linebacker on 6.4% of his snaps.
Ranked No. 160 overall on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus board, Roberts has climbed nearly 100 spots since early January. If his momentum holds, he may not have to wait long to hear his name called on day three and could even sneak into day two.
Why is Elijah Roberts projected to drop?
Despite his positive traits, there are a few concerns that contribute to his likely availability on day three.
While he ran a solid time in the forty, Roberts’ overall athletic testing was mediocre, earning a Relative Athletic Score of 6.84. His 31.5-inch vertical jump, 116-inch broad jump, and 4.78-second shuttle time were nothing extraordinary.
Roberts’ age is another concern. A five-year college player, Roberts is already 23 years old and will turn 24 in December of his rookie year.
There are also questions about Roberts’s true position at the NFL level. However, that exact question explains why he projects as such an exciting fit for the Jets.
Where does Elijah Roberts fit with the New York Jets?
Roberts projects as a versatile defensive lineman at the next level. He likely fits best in a 4-3 scheme where he can rotate between the interior and the edge.
The Jets are still looking to replace the production of John Franklin-Myers, who played this role extremely well in New York from 2020-23. It will be especially important under Aaron Glenn, who prioritized tweener defensive ends in Detroit.
The SMU standout could be a strong candidate to fill this role. His ability to contribute against both the run and the pass makes him an intriguing depth piece who could provide immediate value across multiple spots on the defensive line.
Roberts said he had a “great” meeting with the Jets and “really likes” new defensive line coach Eric Washington.
“The Jets have been great. I really liked meeting with the new DL coach, he was great,” Roberts said on FanSided’s Stacking the Box podcast. “They also went to my school two days ago. My coach called me about it and told me he had a great conversation with the Jets. He really liked the plan they had set out for me if I were to go there.”
The Jets hold multiple mid-round selections that align with where Roberts is expected to come off the board. They currently own the 110th overall pick in the fourth round, along with a pair of fifth-rounders at Nos. 145 and 162.
For a team seeking versatility up front, Roberts might just be the perfect fit for Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks’ defense.
