After watching Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski dominate the NFL while winning seven of the past 10 Super Bowls, every organization is hoping to find the game’s next great tight end mismatch. Teams shouldn’t expect any prospect to be as effective as those two generational Hall of Famers, but Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has what it takes to be a dangerous weapon at the next level.
Weighing in at 6’-4” and 245 pounds, Ja’Tavion Sanders has the size, strength, and speed that teams desire. Blessed with soft hands and fluid movements, Sanders is already a polished route runner who should be able to line up as both an in-line tight end and slot receiver.
Ja’Tavion Sanders is a subpar blocker and could use some extra play strength, so teams probably won’t draft him in the first round. As of this posting, consensus rankings have him going in the back of the second round or early in the third. With that in mind, let’s take a look at who might draft him.
There’s been some debate on how high Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders will go in the draft, but there’s no denying his prowess down the seam. pic.twitter.com/sDyYIylNYS
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) April 5, 2024
5 Teams That Could Draft Ja’Tavion Sanders
Los Angeles Rams
On paper, the Los Angeles Rams have two great pass-catching options in Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. While Nacua appears destined for stardom, Kupp is on the older side and started to slow down in 2023. With Tyler Higbee being nothing more than a replacement-level starter, Los Angeles should be one of the top teams looking to draft Ja’Tavion Sanders.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have spent the 2024 offseason making life easier for Bryce Young. While the team has already fortified the offensive line and improved the wide receiver position, they haven’t done much to address the tight end room. The Panthers probably won’t select Ja’Tavion Sanders with either of their early second-round picks, but he’d be a no-brainer choice if the other 31 teams let him fall to the top of the third round.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are in the market for a third option in the receiving game. While Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are phenomenal, this team could use more depth for their aerial attack. While Miami has primarily focused on Odell Beckham, they could try to find a long-term solution in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Dolphins never truly replaced Mike Gesicki, and Ja’Tavion Sanders has the potential to be an even better tight end for this team.
Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce is still one of the best tight ends in football, but the veteran started to slow down in 2023. While he recaptured his old form in the playoffs, the three-time Super Bowl champion wasn’t playing up to his usual standard in the regular season. Teams know just how dangerous a tight end can be in this offense, and Ja’Tavion Sanders could be the heir to Kelce’s throne. Kelce is a generational talent and nobody will be able to match him at his peak. With that being said, he could become a valuable weapon for this offense once age officially catches up with the future Hall of Famer.
Los Angeles Chargers
As of this posting, the Los Angeles Chargers do not have a single reliable weapon in the passing game. Justin Herbert is amazing, but he cannot throw and catch the ball. If the Chargers trade down from the fifth-overall pick, they should have all the draft capital they need to get a tackle, receiver, and tight end. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman loves tight ends, and Ja’Tavion Sanders could terrorize teams in this scheme for years to come.
Main Photo: Sara Diggins – USA Today Sports
