Sam Roberts Bio
Samuel Roberts, born on April 14, 1998, is an American professional football defensive lineman competing in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football at Northwest Missouri State, where he emerged as one of the top small-school defenders in the country, Roberts was selected by the New England Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has since moved across multiple franchises while building a professional career on the defensive line.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at roughly 300 pounds, Roberts combines the size and frame of a classic interior pass rusher with the motor expected of a Division II standout. He has suited up for the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons, and currently plays for the New York Giants.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Roberts was born on April 14, 1998, in Waynesville, Missouri, a small community in the central part of the state. Growing up in Waynesville, he attended Waynesville High School, where he first developed the physical tools and work ethic that would later define his football career. The community’s strong local football culture provided a steady foundation for his early development as an athlete.
Coming out of high school, Roberts was regarded as a promising defensive line prospect whose size and strength stood out to college recruiters. He chose to continue his football journey at Northwest Missouri State University, a program with a proud tradition of producing NFL-caliber talent from the NCAA Division II level. His decision to play for the Bearcats allowed him to grow within a competitive system while earning meaningful playing time early in his college tenure.
Path to American Football
Roberts joined the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats and steadily developed into one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). His combination of length, leverage, and pursuit made him a consistent presence in opposing backfields. By his upperclassman years, he had become a cornerstone of the Bearcats’ defense.
His college production drew national attention, particularly in 2021, when he earned the Cliff Harris Award, given annually to the best small-college defensive player in the country. Roberts was also named MIAA Defensive Player of the Year that same season, reinforcing his standing as the top defensive player in his conference. Those performances helped push his name into NFL Draft conversations despite playing outside the FBS ranks.
Sam Roberts Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Roberts entered the NFL when the New England Patriots selected him in the sixth round, 200th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent his first two professional seasons with the Patriots, working to translate his small-school success into a consistent role on an NFL defensive line. His practice habits and physical traits gave him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in a deep defensive front.
During his time in New England, Roberts appeared in regular-season games and continued to refine his technique against professional competition. He was released by the Patriots on August 26, 2024, ending his initial NFL chapter. The release was a setback, but his draft pedigree and prior production suggested he would draw interest elsewhere.
New England Patriots to Chicago Bears (2024)
Shortly after his release from New England, Roberts signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad on August 29, 2024. His stay in Chicago was brief, as he was released on October 1, 2024, with an injury settlement. The short tenure reflected the constant movement of players on practice squads across the league.
Carolina Panthers (2024–2025)
On November 18, 2024, Roberts was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, giving him another opportunity to prove himself at the NFL level. He was promoted to the active roster on December 10, 2024, finishing the season with the Panthers. He returned to Carolina for the 2025 offseason before being waived on August 26, 2025, and quickly re-signed to the practice squad.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025)
On September 5, 2025, the Atlanta Falcons signed Roberts off the Panthers’ practice squad, adding depth to their defensive front. He appeared for Atlanta during the early portion of the 2025 season before being placed on injured reserve on November 14, following a knee injury he suffered in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts. The injury interrupted an otherwise productive stretch with the Falcons.
New York Giants Era (2026–Present)
On March 23, 2026, Roberts signed with the New York Giants, marking a fresh start with a new organization. The move reflected his continued value as a depth piece on the defensive line, with the Giants providing another opportunity to compete for an active roster role. His career NFL totals include 26 tackles and 1 sack as of the 2025 season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Roberts’ most notable milestone remains his 2021 Cliff Harris Award, which placed him among the elite small-college defenders in the country. Being drafted in the sixth round by the Patriots added another career highlight, as did his active-roster promotions with the Panthers and his quick signing by the Falcons in 2025.
Sam Roberts Career Wins
As a defensive lineman, Samuel Roberts’ professional career has been measured less in wins than in consistency, production, and roster durability. Across his time with the Patriots, Bears, Panthers, Falcons, and Giants, he has built a resume defined by steady special-teams play and rotational defensive line snaps.
Other Wins & Performances
Roberts’ biggest wins came during his senior seasons at Northwest Missouri State, including two First-team All-MIAA selections in 2019 and 2021, a Second-team All-MIAA nod in 2020, and the 2021 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year award. Those honors remain the foundation of his football résumé.
Sam Roberts Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Samuel Roberts’ family background is limited. He was raised in Waynesville, Missouri, where he attended Waynesville High School before moving on to Northwest Missouri State.
Personal Life
Roberts has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye, and no verified details about a spouse, partner, or children are publicly available. His professional focus and frequent team transitions have kept the spotlight largely on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Roberts began the 2025 season with the Carolina Panthers, where he had been re-signed to the practice squad after being waived at the end of training camp. His stay on Carolina’s practice squad was short, as the Atlanta Falcons signed him on September 5, 2025, to bolster their defensive front. He quickly integrated into Atlanta’s defensive line rotation, contributing on special teams and in select defensive packages.
His 2025 campaign, however, was cut short when he suffered a knee injury in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts and was placed on injured reserve on November 14. The injury ended his on-field contributions for the year, but his opportunity to sign with the New York Giants in March 2026 reflected the strong impression he had made on Atlanta’s staff before the setback.
Looking ahead, Roberts is expected to compete for a depth role along the Giants’ defensive line while continuing his recovery. His combination of size, prior small-school production, and multi-team experience makes him a valuable rotational piece as he works toward full health.
