Eagles to host SMU star defender for Top 30 visit as they search for depth following Milton Williams, Josh Sweat departure
The Philadelphia Eagles' defense took a huge hit when they lost defensive ends Milton Williams and Josh Sweat to NFL free agency earlier this month. However, they're doing their research ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft on potential prospects who could help fill the holes left by Sweat and Williams. According to several reports, the […]
The Philadelphia Eagles' defense took a huge hit when they lost defensive ends Milton Williams and Josh Sweat to NFL free agency earlier this month.
However, they're doing their research ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft on potential prospects who could help fill the holes left by Sweat and Williams.
According to several reports, the Eagles are set to host former SMU (Southern Methodist University) star defender Elijah Roberts for one of their top-30 visits.
Roberts spent his first three years at the University of Miami (FL) before transferring to SMU, where he had two productive seasons as a starter. In two years with the Mustangs, Roberts registered 24 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
Roberts, who has been compared to Williams, is a projected later Day 2 or Day 3 pick in the upcoming draft. He is considered a developmental player with starter upside with proper coaching.
Here is his scouting report via Bleacher Report:
Elijah Roberts was a productive edge defender at SMU, logging 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He lacks the bend and overall athleticism to stay on the edge in the NFL, but he projects well as a 4i-technique defensive end in odd fronts with his size and strength.
As a pass-rusher, Roberts has active and accurate hands to "defeat the hands, defeat the man," in addition to showing good cross-chop and arm-over moves. He also uses a forklift technique well to get offensive linemen's hands off him and has a solid bull rush as a counter move.
However, he does lack explosion off the line of scrimmage to be effective when using the bull rush as a primary move. Right now, he needs a yard or two to build up momentum and win with power, which will be an issue when playing from tighter alignments initially.
The biggest problem with the former Mustang is that he's unproven when playing with his hand in the ground, especially against the run. He didn't have to face many double-teams and combo blocks on the edge, which could lead to some growing pains at a new position in the pros.
The good news is that Roberts takes on blocks with a wide base, good knee bend and has the upper-body strength to get extension on blocks. That should help him be successful once he gets comfortable playing from a new alignment.
Overall, Roberts is a developmental prospect, but he has the potential to become a starter and every-down contributor in the NFL with time and good coaching.
The later the Eagles can pick him in the draft, the better.
Eagles Scheduled Top 30 Visits Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft
Here is an updated list of the Eagles' Top 30 visits ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft thus far.
- OT Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon)
- DL Elijah Roberts (SMU)
- EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College)
- OT Charles Grant (William & Mary)
- DE Tyler Baron (Miami)
- OT Anthony Belton (N.C. State)
- OL Marcus Mbow (Purdue)
- OL Jalen Travis (Iowa State)
- RB Jaydon Blue (Texas)
- CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
