by: Skylar Barrons
Each NFL season, there are players who showcase their potential to become a star contributor to their team. Second-round draft pick, T.J. Sanders, aims to do just that for the Buffalo Bills. Drafted out of South Carolina, the defensive tackle – most known for his strategic and heavy hits – will soon get the chance to prove himself on the Bills’ defensive line as training camp approaches. With fierce competition like DaQuan Jones and DeWayne Carter, Sanders has to establish where he will stand on the Buffalo Bills Defense.
Sanders’ size and skill was a large advantage to him in South Carolina. Standing at 6 ft. 4 in. and weighing 297 pounds, Sanders plans to enter training camp with enough strength, proficiency and athleticism to demonstrate who he is as an athlete. With getting 9.5 sacks in only his college career, the future for Sanders has a chance to be bright. Although he sits behind both Jones and Ed Oliver on the depth chart, his main obstacle may be outshining fellow rookie Carter and managing to become a starter during his rookie year.
Training camp will be his first official chance to showcase that he truly belongs as a Buffalo Bill. In order to make an impact this season, Sanders must showcase his reliability by disrupting offensive plays in the backfield and pressuring the quarterback. If Sanders proves that he is capable of being a threat on the defensive line, the Bills coaches may trust him with more game time and may eventually consider him for a starting role
While that starting role may not happen for Sanders immediately – as he would have to outshine either Jones or Oliver – he can begin to focus on showing stability in camp and begin establishing himself as an asset on the Bills defensive line. By doing so, Sanders has an opportunity to grow this season both on and off the field.
Sanders stated, “One minute you have a dream to go to the NFL, and the next you’re a Buffalo Bill.” This shows his excitement of being a part of the team and anticipating the first day of training camp on July 23.
@skylarbarrons_
