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[Washington Commanders]

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

Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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​

Tackles	Def Interceptions	Fumbles
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Solo	Ast	Comb	TFL	Sk	Int	Yds	IntTD	PD	FR	Yds	FRTD	FF	Awards
2020*	Miami (FL)	ACC	FR	DL	5	2	2	4	0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
2021	Miami (FL)	ACC	FR	DL	7	3	5	8	1	0.5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2022	Miami (FL)	ACC	JR	DL	8	6	3	9	1	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2023*	SMU	American	SR	DL	14	21	16	37	13	10.0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	2
2024	SMU	ACC	SR	DL	13	17	18	35	11	7.5	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	2
Career	47	49	44	93	26	18.0	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	5
Miami (FL) (3 Yrs)	20	11	10	21	2	0.5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
SMU (2 Yrs)	27	38	34	72	24	17.5	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	4

Defense & Fumbles Table

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/1/2025.

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​

Source: nfl.com

Elijah Roberts is a DE prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 6.82 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 640 out of 2012 DE from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/9xmvtBUJ1x pic.twitter.com/EhXQPZ94z3

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 31, 2025​

A look at this year's edge rush draft class measuring their production (min. 10% pressure rate) against their Next Gen athleticism score. pic.twitter.com/nPQ7evMGLz

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) March 28, 2025​

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​

Elijah Roberts has very quickly become one of my favorite players in this entire class

Watch the LT on that first clip... Yeesh pic.twitter.com/d3wvDmm9Lo

— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) March 27, 2025​

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.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/2/...end-consider-elijah-roberts-nfl-draft-profile

 

[Washington Commanders]

Key NFL offseason dates for 2025

The Commanders’ offseason program dates: pic.twitter.com/Tm7wCgTQTv

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 3, 2025​

Washington’s team website recently published a list of key offseason dates. You may want to bookmark this page for handy reference between now and the end of May.

February​

• Feb. 6: NFL Honors
• Feb. 9: Super Bowl LIX, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Feb. 10: Waiver system begins for 2025. With certain exceptions, a 24-hour claiming period will be in effect through the entire year; however, waiver requests made on Friday and Saturday of each week will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the following Monday. Players with at least four previous pension-credited seasons whom a club desires to terminate are not subject to the waiver system until the day after the trading deadline.
• Feb. 17: HBCU Combine, Ochsner Sports Performance Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Feb. 18: Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m., New York time on March 4, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
• Feb. 22: HBCU Legacy Bowl, Yulman Stadium, Tulane University
• February 24 - March 3: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

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March​

• March 4: Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players. College Pro Days begin. Workouts of a school’s Pro Day-eligible players during the days leading up to Pro Day activities are prohibited. Private dinners, meetings, interviews are permitted.
• March 4 - April 16: Draft-Eligible Facility Visits Begin. Clubs are permitted to 30 non-local players for physical exams/visits; no on-field workouts.
• March 10-12: Negotiation (“Legal Tampering”) Period. During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 10 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2024 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 12.
• March 12 - End/Start of League Year. Deadline at 3:59:59 p.m., New York Time, for clubs to exercise individually negotiated options for 2025 on all players who have option clauses in their 2024 contracts, subject to any earlier deadline specified in a player’s contract.
• Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit Qualifying Offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.
• Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2024 contracts who have fewer than three Accrued Seasons of free agency credit (ERFAs).
• Top 51 Rule is in effect. All clubs must be under the 2025 Salary Cap prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time. All 2024 NFL player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
• The 2025 League Year and Free Agency signing period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.

The first day of the 2025 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 12.

Trading period for 2025. Trading begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2024 contracts.

• March 30 - April 2: Annual League Meeting, The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida

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April​

• April 16: Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview, or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.
• April 18: Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign Offer Sheets
• April 21: Clubs with returning Head Coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
• April 23: Deadline for Prior Club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents who signed offer sheets.
• April 24-26: NFL Draft, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• April 29: Deadline for Prior Club to send “April 29 Tender” to its unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents. If the player has not signed a Player Contract with a Club by July 22 or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later, he may negotiate or sign a Player Contract from that date until the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, at 4:00 p.m., New York time, only with his Prior Club.

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May​

• May 1: Deadline for Clubs to exercise Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft.
• May 2-5 or 9-12: Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday on one of the two weekends following the Draft.
• May 12: Rookie Football Development Programs begin.
• May 14-18: NFLPA Rookie Premiere, Los Angeles, California.
• May 20-21: Spring League Meeting/Coach Accelerator, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/2/5/24359314/key-nfl-offseason-dates-for-2025

 

[Washington Commanders]

Hard Knocks has changed the rules; Washington is now eligible for this year’s program

Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Will we see the Commanders on HBO this year?

Over the years, many NFL fans have become familiar with the rules that govern which teams can (or can’t) be forced to appear on Hard Knocks, the popular HBO series that fans love, but which is often perceived as a potential disruption or distraction to the team-building process that takes place during training camp.

One of the rules that allowed a huge number of teams to opt out of appearing on the program was that a team that had made a playoff appearance in either of the prior two seasons was exempt.

Suddenly, that rule is gone, and that changes things considerably.

Hard Knocks has loosened its rules on which teams can be forced into the Training Camp edition.

The new rules for who CAN'T be forced to participate:
— Teams with a first-year head coach
— Teams featured in that season’s in-season edition (covering a full division)
— Teams on… pic.twitter.com/InF6x6u5VU

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 3, 2025​

20 teams now available for this year’s Hard Knocks

ARI, ATL, BAL, BUF, CAR, CIN, DEN, GB, HOU, KC, IND, MIA, MIN, NYG, PHI, PIT, SF, SEA, TEN, WSH

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) April 3, 2025​

With the Commanders having been in the most recent NFC playoffs, we’d all been working under the assumption that they would be exempt from being forced to appear on Hard Knocks in ‘25 or ‘26. With the change in eligibility rules, it’s now possible that the league owners could choose to feature the Commanders on Hard Knocks.

I may be biased because of my personal devotion to the Washington franchise, but I think that most NFL fans would find a season of Hard Knocks that focuses on the burgundy & gold to be compelling viewing.

The most obvious reason is fan fascination with Jayden Daniels who is popular for all the right reasons. Coming off of his incredible rookie season, I suspect NFL fans would love to get a deeper look at the player and the man.

The core of the team’s success in 2024, however, seemed to be the head coach, Dan Quinn, who proved to be anything but a tired ‘retread’. On the contrary, Quinn showed up in Washington last year invigorated and committed to applying what he’d learned from the past — both his successes and failures. I can’t help but think that his presence would add to the television viewing experience.

Likewise, his coaching staff, and in particular, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, should hold wide appeal to NFL fans, many of whom held strong opinions about the former Cardinals head coach. Coverage of the “Kliff cliff” in the second half of last season made for entertaining headlines and panel discussions on ESPN as disaster was first predicted and then failed to materialize as the Commanders were among the most prolific offenses in the league and the team had playoff success that had eluded Washington for over three decades.

Another factor in the making of good TV is variety. Dan Quinn, this week, confirmed that the team is interested in holding joint practices with two teams again this year. Mike Vrabel said that the Patriots were talking to the Washington brass about hosting the Commanders in camp. Joint practices offer a nice change of pace to the makers of Hard Knocks, who have the opportunity to weave in some alternate story lines.

Of course, the Commanders’ Cinderella 2024 season has its own appeal, as it provides a lot of grist for the mill in Episode 1 of the six-part series. The Hard Knocks crew would have a treasure trove of exciting finishes and winning time moments to review from 2024, not to mention the ability to celebrate the early success of the league’s newest ownership group.

The Washington team has never been featured on Hard Knocks, though a brawl (or series of brawls) between the Redskins and Houston Texans during joint practices ended up featured on the 2015 iteration of the series, which covered the Texans’ training camp. With the ownership change that occurred two years ago, it may be time for Washington to emerge from the shadows and return to its former position as a featured franchise of the NFL.

With 20 of 32 teams now eligible for the 2025 season of Hard Knocks, there will be several teams that could offer compelling storylines, but I suspect that the Commanders story in 2025 would garner as much interest from NFL fans as any other and more than most.

I’m not necessarily trying to pitch an appearance on Hard Knocks to Commmanders fans. The potential for distraction and disruption seems very real, and I don’t want anything to interfere with the payoff that the team should enjoy for all the hard work being put in by all of the coaches and players. That said, I certainly would tune in with interest every week if the league chose Washington to be featured in the next season of Hard Knocks.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/3/...ington-is-now-eligible-for-this-years-program

 

[Washington Commanders]

Arian Smith Could Be the Commanders’ New Deep Threat

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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

Arian Smith, WR
School: University of Georgia | Conference: Southeastern
College Experience: Redshirt Senior | Draft Age: 23 (Week 1)
Height / Weight: 6’0”/ 180 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 6th-7th round

Player Comparison: Chris Harper

College Statistics​

Receiving	Rushing	Scrimmage
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Y/G	Att	Yds	Y/A	TD	Y/G	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD	Awards
2020*	Georgia	SEC	FR	WR	4	2	86	43.0	1	21.5	1	-9	-9.0	0	-2.3	3	77	25.7	1
2021*	Georgia	SEC	FR	WR	4	3	102	34.0	2	25.5	1	15	15.0	0	3.8	4	117	29.3	2
2022*	Georgia	SEC	SO	WR	11	7	198	28.3	1	18.0	0	0	0	0.0	7	198	28.3	1
2023*	Georgia	SEC	JR	WR	14	8	153	19.1	2	10.9	1	33	33.0	0	2.4	9	186	20.7	2
2024	Georgia	SEC	SR	WR	14	48	817	17.0	4	58.4	5	54	10.8	0	3.9	53	871	16.4	4
Career	47	68	1356	19.9	10	28.9	8	93	11.6	0	2.0	76	1449	19.1	10

Receiving & Rushing Table

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/4/2025.

Player Overview​

A two-sport athlete (track & field) from Mulberry HS and Lakeland HS (FL), Arian Smith committed to University of Georgia as a four-star recruit. He competed in the 100m, 200m, and long jump with Mulberry. Arian Smith also competed in track & field with Georgia until 2023, where he earned first-team All-American (2021) for track and qualified for the SEC Championship with 10.4 in the 100-meter dash. With full commitment towards football, Arian broke out with 48 receptions, 871 total yards (817 receiving yards, 54 rushing yards), and 4 receiving touchdowns in his 2024 season. He was a 2025 Senior Bowl participant and is scheduled for a Top-30 visit with the Washington Commanders.

Speed is what defines Arian Smith’s game. He is a track athlete and ran one of the fastest 40 times at the Combine. He averaged at least 17 yards per reception on a heavy diet of go routes, seams, and comebacks. But Arian made the most of his routes and is still improving his route tree. Smith has solid release and is able to work through jams and win through contact. He is also a willing blocker and has good technique. Smith is capable of navigating through traffic to pick up more yards after the catch. Yet, Smith struggles with concentration drops (10 in 2024) and is clunky when trying to start-and-stop or change directions. Smith also has an extensive injury history which partially explains his limited production. Teams selecting Arian Smith on Day 3 are hoping to get a vertical threat receiver who could add more routes to take advantage of his speed.

Busy last few weeks for Georgia WR Arian Smith.

One of the most explosive pass-catchers in the class, Smith met virtually with the offensive staffs of the Patriots, Titans, 49ers, and Raiders last week, and will meet with the Commanders today, source said.

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 25, 2025​

Awards & Recognition​

• Senior Bowl participant (2025)

Metrics​

Source: nfl.com

Arian Smith is a WR prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.43 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 197 out of 3441 WR from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/fkYi1DjBeP pic.twitter.com/QSDCmglBrs

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 2, 2025​

Strengths​

• Blistering vertical speed. Eats up cushions instantly.
• Able to navigate through traffic after the catch.
• Willing blocker with good technique.
• Good at ball tracking.
• Big play waiting to happen (17 yards/reception)

Weaknesses​

• Awkward changing directions, stops & starts, and fakes.
• Limited route tree.
• Lean body frame.
• Needs better catching technique (10 drops in 2024).
• Poor play strength, goes down easily.
• Happens to run into defenders.

Let’s See His Work​

Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett in the gauntlet at the NFL Combine pic.twitter.com/4xSriwx54m

— Graham Coffey (@GrahamCoffeyDC) March 1, 2025​

Arian Smith is reportedly "quietly receiving" comparisons to Jameson Williams within NFL draft rooms.

Many NFL scouts reportedly believe Smith's stock is going to "skyrocket" after his long awaited combine performance.

"He's going to run in the 4.2's. More than likely early… pic.twitter.com/Wbosfwd2Lz

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 22, 2025​

Arian Smith with a crisp cut to shake off the DB and catch the TD pic.twitter.com/iDCxxscoTa

— Jason Allwine (@JFootballwine) January 28, 2025​

.@GeorgiaFootball WR Arian Smith with a fantastic catch during @seniorbowl 1-on-1s. Good release, consistent subtle hand fighting, high pointing the ball. Good stuff pic.twitter.com/7pVnbFee4S

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 29, 2025​

Interviews​

How Will He Fit On The Team​

Washington added a litany of receivers via free agency and trade. One aspect they lost with the departure of Olamide Zacchaeus and Dyami Brown was speed, and speed is what Arian Smith has in spades. In Smith, Washington is hoping to fill the Dyami Brown size hole with another burner while betting on his development on short routes. While the wide receiver room is crowded this season, Arian Smith could find himself a niche role as the big-play threat in the following seasons.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/4/4/...-commanders-new-deep-threat-nfl-draft-profile