What are Reasonable Expectations for T.J. Sanders This Upcoming Year?

[HaldimandBills]

Wasn't Sanders injured and missed six games followed by being forced to start at Dend? I'm sure that was difficult for him to learn. I am not concerned about him at all. Whole off season to focus on being a DT and understanding what the NFL game is vs. the SEC. he doesn't strike me as a slug or fool. I expect great things. 

[DJB]

Well hopefully he plays Dline. I struggle to comprehend how he would do at running back or safety . 

[CookieG]

He makes trading for Dexter Lawrence unnecessary. 

 

Just trying a little optimism

 

 

[Rigotz]

5 hours ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

He is expected to be the starting DE in the 3-4 and should see a ton of snaps at DT when they switch to a 4 man DL in nickel.

He's a second round pick that they traded up to get. A lot should be expected of him. 

 

This is assuming a lot. He's never played 5-tech in his career (defensive end in a 3-4 base).

 

I think he would be good at it, but it's a different position. 

 

It's possible that Deone Walker plays 5-tech. Kinda fits his strengths better ... not a stout run defender up the middle, but great lateral quickness.

 

It is very possible that TJ Sanders rotates behind Oliver as the 4i and Deone gets the bulk of snaps outside the shoulder of the tackle.

[Mikie2times]

I have him falling somewhere between John McCargo and Aaron Donald. 

[That's No Moon]

1 hour ago, jahnyc said:

He did not look good last year, particularly when he was playing as a DE.  In our defense under Leonhard, it appears he may be more suited to DE.  If this is the case, is playing DE in Leonhard's expected defense significantly different than playing DE in McD's defense?

Wildly different gap responsibilities. 3-4 DE is often similar to 4-3 DT (but not always) depending on how the defense is deployed. Often they are on the inside shoulder of the tackle as opposed to 4-3 where they are almost always outside the tackle.

9 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:

I have him falling somewhere between John McCargo and Aaron Donald. 

McCargo is still on the table

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

2 hours ago, nemhoff said:

The use of “folksy” here was awesome.  Got me😀

If there was one thing that Mrs. Lynch drove into my thick skull, it was adjectives are your friend when trying to write interesting prose. 😁

* 

Also, avoid using the same word twice in a paragraph.  My initial post flubbed that goal. 🙁

[Jimmy Harris 69]

I see this as another rookie year for TJ, with a new coaches, a new scheme and new expectations. He will benefit from his playing time in 2025 without a doubt. I do not pretend to know how well he played, but clearly, not as well as Walker. 

TJ Sanders 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report makes me believe a new scheme and philosophy can unlock something special: 

 

Sanders, a product of Marion High School in South Carolina, arrived at the University of South Carolinaas a three-star recruit with a multi-sport pedigree. A standout in both football and basketball, Sanders showcased his athleticism early on. Notably, he earned all-state basketball honors and led his high school football team to a state championship game appearance in 2020.

After redshirting in 2021, Sanders carved out a role with the Gamecocks. He emerged as a dominant force along the defensive line by his redshirt sophomore (2023) and junior (2024) seasons. With 109 career tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks across 39 games (16 starts), Sanders declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility.

Overall, Sanders possesses a tall, lean frame with long arms that enhance his ability to engage blockers and disrupt passing lanes. His build is more wiry than bulky, suggesting room to add functional mass at the next level. However, he carries his weight well, displaying a blend of quickness and power that stands out for an interior defensive lineman. Additionally, his athleticism translates to fluid movement and impressive short-area bursts.

HT: 6037
WT: 297
40: 5.02
ARM: 3318

Strengths:

Explosive First Step: Sanders fires off the ball with a twitchy get-off that allows him to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays before offensive linemen can fully set. His ability to time the snap enhances this trait.

Pass-Rush Upside: With a quick swim move, effective hand swipes, and surprising bend for his size, Sanders has the tools to collapse pockets. His 4.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024 highlight his knack for finishing plays, while his 33 quarterback pressures in 2024 highlight his consistency as a disruptor.

Versatility: Sanders has lined up everywhere from a 1-technique to a 5-technique, showcasing adaptability across defensive fronts. His lateral agility lets him stunt and loop effectively in pass-rush schemes.

Motor: Relentless in pursuit, Sanders plays through the whistle with a high-effort style. He tracks down ball carriers sideline-to-sideline, a rare trait for a 297-pounder.

Hand Usage: His violent, active hands allow him to disengage from blockers, particularly in one-on-one situations. He’s shown flashes of stacking and shedding with proper leverage.

Areas for Improvement

Anchor Consistency: Sanders struggles to hold ground against double teams and power-based run schemes. His lighter frame and occasional high pad level leave him vulnerable to being displaced by bigger, stronger linemen.

Technical Refinement: While his hand usage is promising, his strike timing and placement can be inconsistent, allowing savvy blockers to get into his chest. His pass-rush plan lacks polish, relying heavily on raw athleticism over counters.

Functional Strength:

Currently, Sanders lacks the lower-body mass to consistently reset the line of scrimmage against NFL-caliber interior linemen. Adding bulk without sacrificing quickness will be key.

Run Defense Discipline: He can over-pursue or lose gap integrity when chasing plays, a byproduct of his aggressive style. This leads to occasional big runs when he’s caught out of position.

Endurance Questions: Sanders’ high-motor approach sometimes wanes late in games, suggesting a need for improved conditioning to handle a full NFL snap count.

Conclusion:

All in all, Sanders is a high-upside defensive tackle with the athletic tools to become a difference-maker in the NFL. His explosiveness and versatility make him an enticing Day 2 prospect. However, his success hinges on addressing technical inconsistencies and building a sturdier base. In the end, he could emerge as a steal for a team willing to invest in his growth in the right system.

Additionally, Sanders thrives as a gap-shooting 3-technique in an even front, where his quickness and length can exploit single blocks. His standout performance against Georgia in 2023—splitting double teams and recording a sack—showcased his ability to take over games when his technique aligns with his athleticism. In run defense, he’s most effective when slanting or penetrating, using his burst to knife into the backfield. However, when asked to two-gap or anchor against downhill runs, as seen in moments against Missouri’s power scheme in 2024, his limitations surface.

Overall, Sanders brings a blend of speed and power as a pass rusher. He often converts his initial burst into a bull rush or slipping through gaps with a well-timed swim. His flexibility to bend the corner on interior rushes is a rare asset, though he lacks a go-to counter when his first move is stalled. Additionally, his pursuit speed shines in open space, making him a threat to chase down quarterbacks and running backs. Sanders’ profile is similar to a slimmer, more athletic Javon Hargrave in his early NFL days—disruptive but needing refinement and mass to reach an elite level.

Sanders is best suited for an aggressive, one-gap defensive system, 4-3 or attacking 3-4, that prioritizes penetration over block-eating

[colin]

we spent premium type capital on sanders, carter, walker, and jackson in the past 24 months.  walker is inconsistent, but his upside flashes are outstanding, big time potential.  carter looks bad, jackson can't even get a jersey, and sanders looks like a solid bottom of the 3rd rookie after being drafted at the top of the 2nd.

 

bishop was cheeks to start, and looked like a stud last season, so let's hope we get that kind of growth out of at least two of the three underperformers above.  

 

if all three of these goofs can starter level/high snap rotation dlinemen, it's an enormous get for the team.  sadly, i don't have much confidence in them.

[KOKBILLS]

Certainly not 2-gapping vs double teams I'll tell you that much... 

[Urban Achievers]

7 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

With a folksy, friendly name like that, I think he should explore opening a chain of family friendly restaurants. 🤔

To that point, TJ cannot use “Sanders” too much to his advantage in terms of the restaurant chain name or food type.

 

Just ask Victor about his attempt to startup a women’s novelty and clothing chain and got sued for “Victor’s Little Secret.”

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24760241

[Sierra Foothills]

32 minutes ago, Urban Achievers said:

To that point, TJ cannot use “Sanders” too much to his advantage in terms of the restaurant chain name or food type.

 

Just ask Victor about his attempt to startup a women’s novelty and clothing chain and got sued for “Victor’s Little Secret.”

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24760241

 

Where would we be without lawyers? 🙃

 

[ToGoGo]

8 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

With a folksy, friendly name like that, I think he should explore opening a chain of family friendly restaurants. 🤔

If he grows his family he could also open a chain of hardware stores called “TJ Sanders and Sons”. 

[Urban Achievers]

1 hour ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Where would we be without lawyers? 🙃

 

Victors Little Secret latest grand opening! 

[Victory Formation]

He started to flash towards the end of the year but he was largely inconsistent.. Too early to say..

[OldTimer1960]

I know we do it regularly, but don’t close the book on guys after their rookie year - especially if they were injured and missed early developmental experience.  It wasn’t long ago that this board wanted to run Spencer Brown out of town.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

5 hours ago, Rigotz said:

 

This is assuming a lot. He's never played 5-tech in his career (defensive end in a 3-4 base).

 

I think he would be good at it, but it's a different position. 

 

It's possible that Deone Walker plays 5-tech. Kinda fits his strengths better ... not a stout run defender up the middle, but great lateral quickness.

 

It is very possible that TJ Sanders rotates behind Oliver as the 4i and Deone gets the bulk of snaps outside the shoulder of the tackle.

Let's not forget even with a switch to 3-4 the majority of the time they will be in a 4 man front - the four man will be Chubb, Walker, Oliver, and Rousseau.  Sanders will rotate behind Oliver as you said.  They will add another edge rusher in the draft.  

 

Here is what I think will happen

 

Walker is going to be a beast as DT in a 4 man front. I can't see him playing DE in any front. He will play some NT as well - perhaps in more passing down and distances. I don't see him at DE.

 

Carter probably gets cut

 

They still add a true NT in Reeder or a rookie.  

 

Beane did a nice job addressing the secondary in FA.  This allows him to take a WR in the first round or trade down and take one in the second round and then focus on the front 7 (NT, edge, LB x 2 in no particular order)with the next 4 picks in the draft.  

 

[Paup 1995MVP]

10 hours ago, Captain_Quint said:

I think he and Walker have some upside and will both be a big part of the dline coming together this year.

 

He was unimpressive last year despite alot of playing time. Walker, on the other hand, had some really great games. But he seemed to fall off and found himself out of position towards the end of the season.

 

If they both can use this offseason to improve and find some consistency, I think the dline will be in good shape. 

 

A lot of D Lineman on the Bills were pretty much unimpressive in the McDermott era since Kyle Williams retired.  (Ed Oliver has been good, but certainly not dominant on a consistent basis) I assume we have a new D Line coach this year.  Hopefully we can start to see the full potential in Sanders and Walker, and all the other guys who will be playing in our front 7.

[Thrivefourfive]

12 hours ago, SCBills said:

In regards to Sanders.. and Jackson/Carter/Solomon, DL guys typically take some time. 
 

Unless you’re drafting a Top 10 pass rusher, it can take a year or two for these guys to show what they can do. 
 

Safe to say, we’re entering put up or shut up time for a guy who was drafted to the wrong defense and three other guys who have all dealt with injury plagued starts to their careers. 
 

 

Thank you. I was ready to jump off a cliff again about this stuff. But what you say makes me reach out for the bonzi tree and relax. There are a lot of unknowns (too many after all that business on the defensive side of the ball), but rooting for the player to succeed should come first. Not hating on players AND Beane. Again, thanks. 

 

[Richard Noggin]

15 hours ago, SoCal Deek said:

This should be interesting. They used a high draft pick to have him play in a firmly entrenched 4-3 defensive scheme. He was essentially invisible. Now, we expect him to flourish in a completely different scheme? I think not! But I’ll be hoping and praying right along with the rest of you. 

 

4-3 vs 3-4 does NOT have to mean radically different alignments and/or assignments. Denver certainly didn't run a strictly 2-gapping 3-4 with monstrous DL. A DE in a 3-4 is not much different from a DT in a 4-3, generally.

 

13 hours ago, jahnyc said:

He did not look good last year, particularly when he was playing as a DE.  In our defense under Leonhard, it appears he may be more suited to DE.  If this is the case, is playing DE in Leonhard's expected defense significantly different than playing DE in McD's defense?

 

Yes. 

 

11 hours ago, Rigotz said:

 

This is assuming a lot. He's never played 5-tech in his career (defensive end in a 3-4 base).

 

I think he would be good at it, but it's a different position. 

 

It's possible that Deone Walker plays 5-tech. Kinda fits his strengths better ... not a stout run defender up the middle, but great lateral quickness.

 

It is very possible that TJ Sanders rotates behind Oliver as the 4i and Deone gets the bulk of snaps outside the shoulder of the tackle.

 

What about last season when Sanders got snaps as a DE in a 4-3? That was likely at 4 or 5-tech, or wider, innit? Otherwise, agreed. 

 

Walker likely gets closer to the C as the down and distance increases.