49ers pre-draft meeting with super-productive DE underscores top NFL draft need

There are a ton of directions the San Francisco 49ers could go with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, but the defensive line is the area they appear most likely to attack with the 11th overall selection.Even if they use that pick on a defensive lineman, their needs are deep enough there that it would behoove them to use multiple choices on that position group.

One player who figures to be available outside of the first round is Southern Methodist University defensive end Elijah Roberts.

He had a pre-draft virtual meeting with San Francisco according to the Draft Network's Justin Melo.

It's easy to see the 49ers falling in love with Roberts.

He isn't the best athlete, but he uses his 6-4, 285-pound frame with nearly 34-inch arms to win ...

a lot.

In two seasons at SMU he racked up 131 pressures, 21 sacks and 18 quarterback hits according to Pro Football Focus.

Roberts primarily played on the edge at SMU, but his size indicates he may be able to kick inside and rush from the interior.

That versatility is something the 49ers have typically liked having in their defensive ends.

Roberts isn't hyper-athletic at DE and his first three college seasons are enough to put up a little bit of a red flag.

He spent his first three college seasons at the University of Miami (Fla.) and totaled only 15 pressures and three sacks in 24 games.The leap in production in Year 4 when he transferred to SMU and the continued production into his final season is encouraging enough to feel good about Roberts as a prospect entering the draft.

He may not solve all of San Francisco's problems on the defensive front, but he has the tools and production worth taking a chance on.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers hold pre-draft meeting with SMU DE Elijah Roberts.

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https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/niners/2025/03/24/49ers-hold-pre-draft-meeting-with-smu-de-elijah-roberts/82645842007/