With both Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi being suspended for violating the league's PED policy, the Buffalo Bills knew they would have to address the defensive line going into the 2025 draft.
Boy, did they ever during the second and third day of the process.
Buffalo spent six of their nine picks on the defensive side of the ball, including the first five selections of the 2025 draft just a few weeks ago. One of the top players selected was South Carolina product T.J. Sanders.
The rookie tackle was one of the more balanced defensive tackles in the draft class and was a high second round pick by the organization. He should be able to make an immediate impact on the roster going into his rookie campaign.
After completing this rookie minicamp with the tam, Sanders is even more confident in his own abilities to lead the way for Buffalo.
And that confidence comes from the mere fact he played in the SEC - a conference that prepares their athletes for the professional game.
"Playing in the SEC, I definitely feel like it got me prepared to the best of my ability to play where I'm at now, just going against guys," Sanders shared. "I think this year, the SEC led the NFL in draft picks again. So, just knowing that's a whole bunch of guys that I played against over the years. It's good company."
Sanders isn't the only player to think that way. He also isn't the only Bills draft pick to be taken out of the SEC. Of the team's nine picks this year, the first four were taken from SEC teams.
And that makes Sanders even more comfortable moving forward.
"Being with guys like Deone (Walker), Landon (Jackson), the other guys that are here with us, just knowing that nobody's alone," Sanders said. "It's guys besides you, brothers, that are dealing with the same problems that you're possibly going through."
Expectations are high for Sanders this season.
And that is just the way he likes it.