Ja’Tavion Sanders 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Georgia’s Brock Bowers headlines the Tight End class of the 2024 NFL Draft, see his profile here. After him, there has been some debate post-NFL Combine about who is the TE2 in the class, and I think that’s a dumb conversation to have. For my money, that belongs to Texas’ Ja’Tavion Sanders. After a good showing in Indy, what does his draft profile look like? Let’s talk about it.
Sanders, a former five-star recruit out of Texas, committed to play for the Longhorns, but did not see the field on offense until 2022. Two-time Big-12 first-team selection. Had a ton of hype after his 2022 season where he finished with 54 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns, but slightly regressed in 2023. He would finish the year with 45 receptions for 682 yards and two touchdowns.
One of the biggest question marks surrounding Ja’Tavion Sanders was his blocking. I believe those were answered at the combine as he looked solid in this sled drill. The name of his game is out running routes. The routes feel very smooth, good knee bend to make the cuts and breaks you need. He really pops out of cuts as well. Matchup nightmare when lined up against Linebackers. Good feel in zone coverage to find the soft spot and sit down.
Sanders isn’t overly strong in his upper body, so if he wants to continue to develop as a blocker he is going to need to put on a little muscle. That’s kind of the only major knock on his game, though. The tape didn’t show a ton of great blocks, especially on those delayed routes. Often gets hung up for too long, throwing off the timing with his Quarterback.
I have a second-round grade on Ja’Tavion Sanders. His ability to run routes should entice most NFL offenses, and his upside as a blocker should add to that value. I would probably take him in the top-50 of the class, and if he were to fall a little I think he would enter that steal category in the third round or beyond.
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