ScoutIndex

BUF BUF

T.J. Sanders

DT

A 2nd-round pick (41st overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft out of South Carolina, T.J. Sanders has built an NFL career since. He's currently with BUF, in his 2nd season in the league. His 42.6 ScoutIndex Rating last season was below the DEF average, in the 38th percentile.

Size

6'4", 297#

College

South Carolina

Draft

Rd 2, 41st overall (2025)

Seasons

2025–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
34.8

16th percentile among DEFs · limited sample

2 games

Splash plays×0.15-0.34
Pass rush×0.3-0.59
Ball skills×0.25-0.61
Run defense×0.2-0.64
Availability×0.1-1.28

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026BUF34.82
2025BUF42.610

Career profile

T.J. Sanders has appeared in 12 regular-season games across 2 NFL seasons on file, all with BUF.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2025: a 42.6, in the 38th percentile among DEFs that year.

2026 splits

regular season

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 5LAR—41.1
Week 6LV—40.1

T.J. Sanders — common questions

What position does T.J. Sanders play?
T.J. Sanders is listed as a DT.
Which teams has T.J. Sanders played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), T.J. Sanders has played for BUF (2025–2026).
Where did T.J. Sanders go to college?
T.J. Sanders played college football at South Carolina.
When was T.J. Sanders drafted?
T.J. Sanders was selected in round 2, 41st overall, of the 2025 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has T.J. Sanders scored?
T.J. Sanders has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is T.J. Sanders's ScoutIndex Rating?
T.J. Sanders rated 34.8 for 2026, the 16th percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 2, 2025

Also from South Carolina