Ja'Tavion Sanders – Tight End – 21 years old – Junior – Texas
Height: 1m95
Weight: 111 kilos
Estimated draft position: 2nd round
NFL Comparison: Evan Engram (Jaguars)
Offering a profile similar to those of Evan Engram (Jacksonville) and Isaiah Likely (Baltimore), Ja'Tavion Sanders has the potential to become a prime target in the NFL.
The first dimension of this position in the NFL is knowing how to block: Ja'Tavion Sanders has work to do in this area. But it already has the second dimension by being a factor in the aerial game.
Highlights of Ja'Tavion Sanders
– Has reliable hands
– Fast and athletic
– Huge room for improvement
A receiver (or a tight end) must know how to stand out initially but above all catch the balls thrown to him: Ja'Tavion Sanders meets this essential criterion. He catches 45 receptions with the University of Texas and doesn't release a ball in 2023!
In 2022, with 54 receptions, he breaks the university record for receptions in a season! In 2023, he signs 682 yards with an average of 15 yards per reception! Ja'Tavion Sanders played in an offense where targets were numerous: without receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell, his production would have been even greater.
If he also has faults, his qualities are impressive for a player who has just turned 21 (born in March 2003)! His room for improvement is therefore immense and this automatically increases his rating with NFL decision-makers.
Weak point of Ja'Tavion Sanders
– Low block intake
With the University of Texas, Ja'Tavion Sanders was the third most targeted player by quarterback Quinn Ewers. He was therefore mainly used as an offensive option and much less in the primary role of a tight-end: that of blocker.
His lack of size will make him one of the “lightest” tight ends in the NFL! With good coaching, his technique will improve (playing low on his supports, hand positioning) but Ja'Tavion Sanders will never be an excellent blocker.
Possible destinations
Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins.
Carolina needs to give Bryce Young targets so he can develop his extraordinary skills. With two picks in the 2nd round (33 and 39), they could use one on this “big receiver”.
To promote the development of young Anthony Richardson (only 22 years old in a month), the Colts could add a reliable target to their squad. Pittman-Sanders-Downs-Pierce, this will start to sound like something!
The G-Men need a quality target to complement their not-bad-but-average players: Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt and Wan'Dale Robinson. Even more if they manage to take a quarterback of the future in the 1st round. Especially since Darren Waller leaves doubt about his presence on the field in 2024.
The Miami Dolphins are orphans of Mike Gesicki who left a year ago. In a very vertical attack that values speed, Ja'Tavion Sanders offers a superior profile to Jonnu Smith and Durham Smythe.
