Instead of waiting for No. 56, the Buffalo Bills opted to trade up 15 spots to acquire defensive tackle T.J. Sanders out of South Carolina. While Buffalo did give up both of their second rounders and a fourth rounder (No. 109), the Bills not only got Sanders, they also received a 3rd-rounder (No. 72) and a 7th-rounder (No. 240).
He comes off the ball fast and can beat an offensive lineman’s block and control where he goes. Not to mention, he can help stuff the middle of the trenches in-between the guards which is what can allow Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano to fly into the gaps to make a play.
The Bills have now addressed two positions that needed to be taken care of early on; cornerback and defensive tackle. First was Maxwell Hairston in the first round, and now they get Sanders to put in the trenches. Bravo Brandon Beane, bravo.
Shortly after getting drafted by the Bills, Sanders spoke with the media and Bills fans will absolutely love what he said about his mentality on why he prefers stopping the run rather than getting sacks.
According to Thad Brown, Sanders gave his reasoning why tackles for loss are more for him rather than sacks, "Running back thinks he's got a gap and I shut it down it down immediately, it gives me the same type of exhilaration." said Sanders.
T.J. Sanders will be a big difference-maker in Bills' run-defense
Buffalo’s run-defense has been atrocious at times the last couple of years, failing to stop the run up the middle which has made life difficult for the Bills. They don’t have the game-wrecking up front defensive tackle who can stop the run behind the line of scrimmage. Now the hope is that Sanders can be that player.
Trading up for Sanders in the second means that the Bills might not have a lot of faith in DeWayne Carter, who was a third round pick last year for the Bills. However, that’s where competition in training camp is going to come in nicely for the defense.