DALLAS — Texas Longhorns tight end and North Texas native Ja'Tavion Sanders was selected No. 101 overall in the fourth round by the Carolina Panthers in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Sanders became the first Texas tight end drafted since Geoff Swaim was selected in the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 and the earliest picked since Jermichael Findley went in the third round to the Green Bay Packers in 2008. Sanders is the second Longhorn drafted by Carolina in this draft, joining teammate Jonathon Brooks who was selected in the second round.
Sanders was among the top rated tight ends in the 2024 class and heralded for his pass-catching abilities.
"Talented pass-catching tight end with an exciting floor if he can handle the rigors of the pro game. Sanders possesses an average build, but he has room for more muscle," NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein said. "He flashes as a run blocker, but he isn’t consistent at the point of attack. He can get up the field from in-line or from the slot, beating man coverage at his route stems or separating quickly from turns. He is able to dig in and win combat catches underneath and has proven to be highly effective running the seam or catching intermediate throws into zone pockets. Teams looking for a tight end with a more complete game might pass on him, but his potential to open up the passing game and become a highly productive pass-catcher should be hard to pass on."
Who is Ja'Tavion Sanders? Where is he from?
Sanders played three seasons at the University of Texas, appearing in 39 games with 27 starts. He ranks first all-time among Texas tight ends in career receptions (99), second in receiving yards (1,295) and sixth in receiving touchdowns (seven). He was named All-Big 12 First Team in 2022 and 2023.
Sanders came to UT from Denton Ryan High School out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where he was sort of a high school phenom who dominated on both sides of the ball. He was an All-American, ranked No. 13 nationally, No. 2 among athletes and No. 2 in the state of Texas by ESPN, and helped lead Denton Ryan to the 5A Division 1 state title in 2020.
Part of his Lone Star State legend was due to how massive his hands are, helping him make highlight reel one-handed catches. One of his high school one-handed touchdown catches was even on Randy Moss' ESPN segment "You Got Mossed."
"It was real funny" Sanders said. "It as exciting to be acknowledged by one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game."
Ja'Tavion Sanders NFL Draft profile
- Size and play strength to play through route traffic.
- Well-coordinated making leaping catches on the move.
- Eventually outruns most linebackers across the field or up the seam.
- Frames off defender and catches with strong hands when contested.
- Run-after-catch features quick vertical burst and getaway speed.
- Fits run blocks with good hand placement and hip lift.
- Has the tools to become a more effective move blocker.
- Will need to get much stronger for in-line blocking chores.
- Inconsistent aggression taking on bigger opponents at the point.
- Allows defenders to play through his base blocks.
- Displays consistent break drift on out-breaking routes.
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