Ja’Tavion Sanders was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and joined the Texas Longhorns where he only saw action in three games as a freshman and caught no passes. The Longhorns were run-heavy that year with Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson and only wideout Xavier Worthy (62) managed to catch more than 24 passes that year.
As a sophomore, Sanders became a starter and was second only to Worthy (60) in receptions with 54 catches. His five scores were second only to Worthy. As a junior, he caught 45 passes while Worthy (75) and Adonai Mitchell (55) were also instrumental in the Longhorn’s passing scheme. All three players are in the 2024 NFL draft and the two wideouts are expected to be early calls.
Sanders declared for the NFL draft and posted a respectable 4.69 40-time at the NFL combine, along with prototypical size and weight for a receiving tight end.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245 pounds
40 time: 4.69 seconds
Table: Ja’Tavion Sanders NCAA stats (2021-23)
| Year | School | Games | Catch | Yards | Avg. | TD | Rush | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Texas | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Texas | 13 | 54 | 613 | 11.4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Texas | 14 | 45 | 682 | 682 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
Pros
- Works well in traffic using size
- Run after catch posts big gains in a vertical passing attack
- Too fast to be covered by a linebacker
- Strong hands that almost never drops passes or fumbles
- Plus-level downfield blocker
- Smooth route runner
- Already familiar with multiple alignments
- Reliable target that highpoints the ball well
Cons
- More of a receiver than a blocker could limit to just role work
- Needs work as a run blocker
- Still needs development after only two playing years in college
Fantasy outlook
Ja’Tavion Sanders projects as a Day 2 pick and potentially the second tight end selected after Brock Bowers is tabbed early in the first round. Sanders is a receiving threat and should end up with a team looking to expand their passing scheme to include the tight end. He’s been likened to the Bills’ Dalton Kincaid and the Cardinals’ Trey McBride.
Taken in Round 2 means that his new team has every intention of integrating him as quickly as possible into the passing equation. Potential landing spots include the Colts who’ll be re-introducing quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Chargers who lost virtually every notable receiver including Gerald Everett, and the Saints. He could also end up on a team that already has a strong tight end but are interested in developing Sanders to take over in the future like the 49ers, Texans, or even the Chiefs.
Sanders higher cost in the NFL draft will most likely send him to a team that wants payoff next year, if not 2024. This is considered a deeper draft for tight ends than most, and recent rookie tight ends have shown that the position is more valued and a better opportunity even in their first season.