Ja’Tavion Sanders NFL Draft Scouting Report

Size:

Height: 6’4” | Weight: 245 lbs

Accomplishments:

2022 First Team All-Big-12 • 2022 John Mackey Award semi-finalist 

“Ja’Tavion Sanders has shown to be a versatile receiving threat at the tight end position with the ability to make big plays in the vertical passing game.”

Strengths:

• Ability to catch in traffic  
• Plus-level athlete 
• Run-after-catch, tackle-breaking ability
• Smooth athlete and route-runner 
• Alignment-versatile

Concerns:

• Ability to be an in-line blocker 
• Run blocking 
• Role-specific 

In-play Film Analysis:

Ja’Tavion Sanders showcases as a dynamic tight end that thrives at making plays in the passing game. He can make plays in the vertical passing game while also converting short throws to big plays because of his run-after-catch ability. At Texas, they use Sanders in multiple alignments, placing him everywhere from a traditional in-line alignment, to the slot, to being on the single receiver side of a 3×1 formation. In every alignment, Sanders relies on his natural athleticism to uncover and does so at a high clip. 

On short crossing routes, Sanders’ speed is evident in how he can separate from defenders, catch the ball, and turn upfield to pick up significant yardage. On deeper throws (seam routes) in the middle of the field, Sanders has the speed to get vertical and make himself available for the quarterback. But what stands out the most is his ability to make contested catches in traffic. Sanders does a good job of maintaining focus on the football, attacking it at its highest point, and coming down with the football in high-traffic areas—making him a reliable target for red zone situations as well. 

The element that Sanders appears to continue to separate himself with his athletic ability is when he aligns at a traditional outside receiver position against defensive backs and wins. Sanders shows to be a fluid athlete that has good start-stop ability to run in-breaking routes and separate at the top of routes making himself available for the quarterback. 

Sanders is a dynamic receiving option at the tight end position but there is room for him to improve as a blocker. Sanders’ primary alignments are in the Y/H-back positions and his primary blocking responsibility is cutting off the backside of a run. When Sanders is on the front side of a run and is relied upon to get movement, he is inconsistent at getting significant movement. There are instances where he gets good initial shock but he doesn’t sustain the movement and defenders are able to shed the block.

Overall, Sanders profiles as a dynamic receiving threat at the tight end position that can win vertically but also convert short throws into big plays due to his run-after-catch ability.  

Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter 

Written By: Keith Sanchez 

Last Updated: June 2, 2023

Exposures: Alabama (2022), Texas Tech (2022), West Virginia (2022), Oklahoma (2022)

Ja’Tavion Sanders’ NFL Draft Scouting Report will be updated by Draft Network throughout the season. Add him to your big board here.