When the mainstream NFL media starts to get acquainted with the prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft, there can be some surprise names that are included in the first round of mock drafts from those in the mainstream media. One player who has been in the first round of some mock drafts is Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Georgia’s Brock Bowers is the consensus top tight end prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft, and he is safely set for the top half of Round 1. Sanders is the very likely to be the next tight end taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, and many teams are looking for a mismatch receiving option at the position. However in speaking to sources at multiple teams, none of them had a first-round grade on Sanders.
“No, he’s not a first-rounder for us,” said an AFC area scout. “But this is a weaker tight end class at the top, so he could go higher than he should.”
Over the past two seasons, Sanders put up good production for a tight end, bringing in 45 catches for 682 yards and two scores in 2023 after recording 54 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. Listed at 6-foot-4, 243 pounds, Sanders is not a big tight end, and his size will be a factor when considering how he will fit in a team’s blocking scheme.
Sanders is helped by the weakness of the tight end position in the 2024 NFL Draft, and there is always a demand for receiving weapons at the position, In speaking to multiple teams, however, none of them had given him a first-round grade. They are projecting him to being a second-day pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
