While defensive tackle was not the biggest need for the Buffalo Bills, Brandon Beane needed to bring in more depth behind Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones. Even though they have DeWayne Carter and signed Larry Ogunjobi (who is facing a potential six-game suspension due to violating the league’s PED policy), the Bills still needed more upfront in the trenches.
Not only did Beane bring in more defensive line help, he traded up twice for two defensive tackles, T.J. Sanders out of South Carolina (second round) and Deone Walker out of Kentucky (4th round). In addition, the Bills also managed to steal edge rusher Landon Jackson from Arkansas. After the Bills selected CB Maxwell Hairston in the first round, Beane was busy with moving up the board and as a result, they completely filled out their defensive line.
T.J. Sanders was the first defensive lineman that the Bills took and there is a reason why the Bills traded up 15 spots in the second round to get him. Sanders is a solid 3-technique player who can also play over the center as well. His production improved each season in college, which included 17 tackles for loss in his last two seasons.
Bills may have acquired a steal with trading up for T.J. Sanders
Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports ranked his top ten fits for rookies who were drafted and at No. 9 on Trapasso’s list was Sanders with the Bills.
"While he's still not 22 years old, he had back-to-back seasons with a pressure rate over the magical 10% threshold in the SEC. He deploys his hands like an NFL veteran and can win with power or first-step quicks off the snap. The Bills have a history of developing linebackers and safeties. And another serious interior penetrating defender was needed next to Oliver. They got that with Sanders. "Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
The Bills getting Sanders doesn’t just get them extra depth, it also helps them with a possible transition from DaQuan Jones (who is entering a contract year) to Sanders for the following season. Buffalo rotates their defensive line heavily, so Sanders doesn’t need to come in and be the difference-maker in the trenches. He just needs to add more value.