Buffalo started off night two of the NFL Draft by moving up 15 spots from No. 56 to 41 to draft South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders. Here's three things to know about one of Buffalo's newest players.
1. A violent, twitchy defensive tackle
There are several things to like about the way Sanders plays his game. One of his biggest strengths is his violent pursuit. The DT is physical with strong hands to get off blocks and knock down the quarterback.
"A guy who plays with a high IQ, adaptable, explosive, twitchy," Sanders said of how he would describe himself. "Can play the run, can rush the passer, I feel like that's just me."
Sanders' twitch turned into 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss during his collegiate career at South Carolina. One thing Bills general manager Brandon Beane liked about Sanders' game was his willingness to not give up until the play is over.
"I've seen T.J. live three or four times the last two years," Beane said. "He stands out on tape. His athleticism, his size, the way he uses his length."
"I think I bring a high motor," Sanders said. "Guy who gets after it every snap, someone who doesn't quit on games, quit on plays. If the game's out of reach, or anything like that, I'm always playing to the hardest…it's a non-stop mentality."
Beane sees Sanders' main home being at a three-technique.
"I would say his primary is three, so he'd give three to one," Beane said. "But we like the idea of adding another inside rusher, another guy to pair with Ed on clear passing downs. But we could still play him at one if we wanted to."
2. Why Sanders has a high ceiling
While Sanders has showed off solid production on film, the DT still has a high ceiling.
The South Carolina product didn't start playing football seriously until his junior year in high school. That means Sanders has just six true seasons of football under his belt.
"I started in a junior year just getting into it," Sanders said. "I was kind of on the bigger side of things, as far as my size in high school. So, at that point where I was playing at school wise, that wasn't really difficult for me to adjust to. But when I got to college I was like, 'Okay, this is big boy football in the SEC. So, it was definitely an adjustment period."
What got Sanders hooked on football was the feeling he got when he sacked the quarterback.
"I remember getting my first sack in high school and I just felt alive getting that first sack, and after that I just wanted more and more sacks," Sanders said. "And getting a scholarship to do that for college, now getting a chance to do that in the NFL, just going out there getting sack, disrupting players, that's the joy you get from playing D-line."
Sanders started off as a basketball player before transitioning to football. The DT earned All-State honors during his junior season and averaged 18 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks per game. The DT believes spending time on the court has helped him develop into a fluid player with strong moves on the field.
"I think more so like just lateral movements like crossovers or between the legs," Sanders said of what stands out. "I feel like, you see me stunting to another gap quickly. I feel like that (basketball) definitely attributed to it."
"He's just a naturally gifted athlete with power, still growing, still ascending," Beane said. "We think there is a lot in there that we think we can get with pro coaching. I think he's got a nice, high ceiling."
3. SEC to the NFL
So far, Buffalo has used all three of their picks on former SEC players. Sanders played at South Carolina, which was the first school to offer him a scholarship. Now with four years of SEC football under his belt, Sanders believes the conference got him ready for the NFL.
"(The SEC) still is known as the hardest league in America other than the NFL," Sanders said. "And just wanting to go there, I feel like if I couldn't play in the SEC, I couldn't play in a league. So, I wanted to go to the SEC and really prove myself, prove that I belong."
"How can you not respect the SEC and their track record?" Beane said. "Every year, every draft. A lot of premium players. It's not the only league, but it's a pretty loaded division."
One perk of having two other SEC players also get drafted by the Bills is the familiarity the class already has with one another. Sanders and Bills first-round pick CB Max Hairston grew close during the pre-draft process.
"Now we got to know each other quite a few at the Senior Bowl and the Combine," Sanders shared. "That's my guy for sure. You know I'm ready to play beside him."
Scroll to see photos from inside the Bills draft room during Friday's second and third rounds as they select DT T.J. Sanders at No. 41 and Landon Jackson at No. 72 overall.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Matt Bazirgan, Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Darius Vinnett. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Ryan Nielsen. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Gaine. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Ryan Nielsen. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Matt Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Laura Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Bobby Babich, Jason Rebrovich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Tabbani Richards. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Matt Pegula, Laura Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terrance Gray, Laura Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Gaine. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula, Matt Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott, Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott, Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Matt Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Laura Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Malik Boyd. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Chris Marrow. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Kevin Meganck. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Jim Overdorf. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Jay Hill. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
RJ Webb. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Chris Marrow. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Curtis Rukavina. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Dennis Lock. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Matt Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Pete Harris. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Ryan Nielsen. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Matt Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Marcus West. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula, Matt Pegula, Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Marcus West. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Matt Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Tyler Pratt. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Luis Guilamo. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Gaine. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Alonzo Dotson. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Dan Evans. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Bobby Babich, Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Gaine. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Marcus West, Alonzo Dotson. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Darius Vinnett. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Matt Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Mike Szabo. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Mike Szabo. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Fisher. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Gaine. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Alonzo Dotson. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Gaine. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Matt Bazirgan. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Asil Mulbah. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Gaine, Kevin Meganck. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Gaine. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Andie Gosper. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Brian Gaine, Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Nate Breske, Leslie Bisson. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Pete Harris. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center, April 25, 2025.
