Ben Roberts LB Texas Tech |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #13 PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.60 seconds (79%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #13 | |
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.60 seconds (79%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
84.7 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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71% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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84% |
| Pass Rush: |
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65% |
| Run Defense: |
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95% |
| Coverage: |
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68% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#84
Position rank:
#13 (LB)
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| College Games: 49 College Snaps: 2773 | ||
ESPN RATING: 75/100
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247 RATING: 84/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Deontae Lawson - Alabama |
|
91% |
| Chad Muma - Wyoming |
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88% |
| Oluwafemi Oladejo - UCLA |
|
84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Ben Roberts played safety at Eaton High School in Haslet, Texas, making 100 tackles and four interceptions as a junior on a team that won a school-record nine games and reached the regional finals. A three-star recruit, he chose Texas Tech over Air Force, Army, Navy, North Texas and SMU.Roberts moved to linebacker and led Texas Tech with 107 tackles as a freshman in 2023, becoming the program's first Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, and he made 12 tackles in his first start against Oregon. He made 83 tackles and forced three fumbles in 2024. In 2025 he started all 14 games, intercepted four passes and was the most outstanding player of the Big 12 title game win over BYU, with two second-half interceptions. He added a career-high 16 tackles in the Orange Bowl loss to Oregon and was a third-team All-Big 12 pick. He earned a kinesiology degree that fall and wants to become a physical therapist.
Roberts returned for his fifth season and was named a captain, one of the first two Red Raiders to wear the C in spring practice. He returned an interception 24 yards for a touchdown in the win over Arizona State, has forced a fumble and has more than 60 tackles in eight games for a 7-1 team. He is the active FBS leader in career forced fumbles.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Big 12 title game most outstanding player with two interceptions against BYU
- Five interceptions since the start of 2025, including a pick-six against Arizona State
- Ranks as the active FBS career leader in forced fumbles
- Instinctive in coverage, reading routes from depth as a former safety
- Productive tackler, with more than 60 tackles in eight games this season
- Team captain and four-year contributor for the Texas Tech defense
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Missed eight tackles this season and nine in 2025
- Allowed 23 catches on 32 targets this fall
- Little pass-rush impact, with no sacks this season
- Wins with instincts and reads more than rare athleticism
Scouting Report: Summary
Roberts is an instinctive, productive linebacker who has made big plays at every stage of his career. A former high school safety, he reads routes from depth and drives on the ball, and he has five interceptions since the start of 2025, including two in the Big 12 title game win over BYU, where he was the most outstanding player, and a pick-six against Arizona State this season. He is also the active FBS leader in career forced fumbles. His range and ball skills make him a natural fit for coverage roles on third down.He has been a constant for Texas Tech. He led the team in tackles as a freshman and was the program's first Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, made a career-high 16 tackles in the Orange Bowl and has more than 60 tackles in eight games this season as a captain for a 7-1 team. He also earned a kinesiology degree and plans to become a physical therapist. He also helped the 2025 team win the Big 12 and reach the Orange Bowl, so he has big-game experience.
However, his athletic profile is more solid than special, so he wins with instincts and reads more than burst, and he offers little as a pass rusher, with no sacks this season. He has missed eight tackles this season after nine in 2025, and he has allowed 23 catches on 32 targets this fall, so the coverage production comes with some give. His tackling will need to tighten up against faster NFL ball carriers.
Overall, Roberts is a smart, productive linebacker with the ball skills and leadership NFL teams value. He projects as a third-round linebacker with the ceiling of a starting Mike or Will and the floor of a core special teams player and backup. His degree and plans also point to a mature, prepared player who should handle the transition well.
How other scouting services rate Ben Roberts (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
84.1
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
12.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.