Myjai

Sanders

Sanders was originally drafted in the third round by the Cardinals in 2022 but only made it to the middle of the 2023 season before being waived. The Texans then claimed him and used him as a rotational pass-rusher in the second half of the year. Sanders will have to compete for a roster spot somewhere else around the league this summer.

Sanders was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He had yet to play this season while on the IR but when the team had the opportunity to activate him, they released him instead in part because of roster crunch. The second-year pass rusher totaled 23 tackles and three sacks in 13 games as a rookie and will now be part of a young and improving Texans defense.

Sanders was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The second-year pass rusher has yet to play this season, but totaled 23 tackles and three sacks in 13 games as a rookie. Sanders was designated to return from injured reserve less than a week ago, making the team’s decision to part ways with him an interesting one. We’ll see if any team opts to swoop in and take a flier on a pass rusher who can likely be had at a discounted rate.

An under-the-radar high school prospect, Sanders (6’5/228) bought into Cincinnati HC Luke Fickell’s program and developed himself into a havoc-creating edge who posted three consecutive seasons with PFF pass-rush grades of 84 or above. He worked his way into the lineup in short order, starting all 38 games from 2019 onward while earning first-team All-AAC honors each of the last two years. While Sanders recorded 42 hurries, the sixth-most in the nation last year, he converted that penetration into just 6.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and three hits. A strong 4.67 40 scored in the 91st percentile and helped his overall relative athletic score climb to a very solid 8.72 mark. He has plenty of juice to beat tackles around the loop and has a few moves to counter with, particularly a savvy shoulder shake that he will combo with a chop/swipe and an occasional euro-step to free himself up. He knifes through the line on run plays but can get overpowered when engaged due to his thin frame. He puts himself in position to make plays but doesn’t cash in on his opportunities enough as his 23.5% missed tackle rate shows. Despite needing to clean up his technique and beef up a bit, Sanders has the traits to eventually develop into a passing-down specialist.