The Buffalo Bills have traded up in second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. They have selected T.J. Sanders, defensive tackle from South Carolina. Buffalo had a need for a long-term answer at 1-tech defensive tackle, but Sanders is a clear 3-tech.

A converted basketball player, his ability to penetrate is his calling card. He did move inside to 1-tech on passing downs, which may be why Brandon Beane felt comfortable moving up for a potential three-down player.

The Bills traded their two second-round picks (56 and 62) and their fourth-round pick (109) for three picks from the Chicago Bears: 41, 72, 240, picks in the second, third, and seventh.

Sanders was our eighth-ranked defensive tackle in SB Nation’s consensus DT rankings:

Sanders could fall victim to being asked to do too much at the next level. He’s not super adept and running the different types of games that most NFL defenses are asking their tackles to do. His initial quickness doesn’t always lead to power. In fact, it can mean he either stands straight up or runs out of his gap.

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SB Nation scouting report: South Carolina DT T.J. Sanders

At 3-tech, Buffalo already added Larry Ogunjobi this offseason on a one-year deal, though he’s suspended for six games. They also drafted DeWayne Carter in the third round in 2024. Ed Oliver is written in pen as the starter, but Sanders should slot ahead of Carter, at least, and Ogunjobi’s suspension paves the way for early snaps.