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Photo: Sara Diggins/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ja'Tavion Sanders

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Steve Letizia | Last updated 3/6/24

Ja'Tavion Sanders NFL Draft Profile

College: Texas
College Position: TE
Ideal NFL Position: Move TE
Height/Weight: 6’4^1/2", 311 pounds
Year / Age: RS Sophomore / 21
Draft Projection: Top 75
Where I’d Take Him: Third round

Background

Ja'Tavion Sanders was raised in Denton, Texas, where he attended Billy Ryan High School. There, he showcased his athletic prowess by excelling in basketball and football. On the gridiron, he played both sides of the ball as a wide receiver and defensive end.

He was potentially better on defense, earning first-team All-District 4-5A Division 1 honors at defensive end. He boasted impressive stats, including 39 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three broken-up passes. He added 47 receptions for 763 yards as a receiver and scored seven touchdowns. Such outstanding performances helped Denton Ryan to the 5A Division 1 state title in 2020 and led to Sanders' recognition as the co-MVP of District 5-5A Division 1.

He was a consensus five-star prospect across all platforms, rated 98 out of 100 by 247Sports. Sanders was the No. 1-rated athlete and the 30th overall player in the country among the 2021 recruiting class. Despite offers from notable schools such as Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, Sanders committed to Texas, solidifying his status as a five-star recruit.

As a freshman, he played in all 12 games, mostly on special teams, where he continued to play his entire career even as his offensive role expanded.

But Sanders broke out offensively as a sophomore, catching 54 passes for 613 yards and five touchdowns. He ranked sixth among tight ends nationally in both receptions and yards, and his 76.1 PFF receiving grade ranked 18th. For his efforts, he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection by coaches and the Associated Press and was named a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end.

Sanders had high expectations heading into his junior season and didn't disappoint. While his receptions decreased to only 45 (he had fewer targets, too), his yardage increased to 682 for 15.2 yards per reception, which was the top mark for tight ends with at least 34 receptions. He upped his PFF receiving grade to 79, ranking 13th nationally. He again earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award. Sanders was also a second-team All-American selection by CBS Sports.

Texas TE Ja'Tavion Sanders #BuildingTheBoard
Sanders is one of the youngest players in the draft at only 20 years old and has a long way to go to become a complete TE.

But with Kmet already in place, Sanders wouldn't need to be "the guy" for the Bears. Instead he can fill a… pic.twitter.com/W9fGnCFSGi
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) March 6, 2024

Strengths

Elite straight-line athlete
Strong hands, no drops in 2023
Body control and coordination
Excels in contested catch situations
Basketball background shows in contested catch situations as he uses his body to "box out" defenders
Good after the catch to create extra yards
Young, only 20 years old
Improved every year and should continue to do so in the pros

Weaknesses

A lot of schemed touches
Run-blocking power and desire
False step off the line
Route running consistency
Needs to add good weight to play in-line in the NFL

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Ja'Tavion Sanders

The Chicago Bears have Cole Kmet as their starting in-line Y tight end. But in today's NFL, the name of the game is creating mismatches. Many teams utilize multiple tight ends to give defenses a different look. This second tight end is usually called the "U" or "F" tight end, depending on the coordinator.

Speaking of offensive coordinators, new Bears guru Shane Waldron often utilized two tight end sets during his time in Seattle. Noah Fant was the primary tight end and receiving threat who was in the slot and out wide more often, while Will Dissly was the traditional Y who was in line on nearly 70% of his snaps. Kmet will be in line for the Bears, but they could use that mismatch tight end who can move all around the field.

And that's precisely what Sanders can become based on his profile and traits. The Texas product can use his speed and athleticism to separate from linebackers at all three levels. While his 4.69 forty-yard dash time is only average, he plays faster on tape. He also gets up to his top speed quickly and can change directions more efficiently than most linebackers.

If a defense tries to match Sanders' athleticism with defensive backs, he can use his length and big frame to box out defenders to make tough catches. He attacks the ball in the air away from his body and shows strong hands to come down with the ball consistently (no dropped passes in 2023).

Sanders has only played tight end for three years, and it shows. He has a long way to go as a route runner. He telegraphs and rounds his routes and doesn't consistently sink his hips to make sharp cuts. This leads to many contested catch situations, and although he's performed well in those situations (53.6 career contested catch percentage), that's a challenging way to make a living in the NFL.

He's also a liability as a run blocker and needs to be hidden in the run game, at least early in his career. Adding functional mass to his frame will help Sanders, but he also doesn't show a great desire for blocking, which is a more significant red flag.

Although Sanders is raw, it's easy to see a future where he becomes a reliable receiver and a valuable mismatch weapon. But it'll take a few years for him to reach a level where coordinators would feel comfortable playing him in a featured role. With Kmet already in place, Sanders could play a complementary role for the Bears immediately without needing to be a complete player. At only 20 years old, the sky is the limit for the former Longhorn.

NFL Comparison: Jared Cook