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2022 3rd round pick B is Myjai Sanders Edge
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Myjai Sanders NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Defensive End
- School: Cincinnati
- Current Year: Senior
- Height: 6’5 1/4″
- Weight: 247 pounds
- Wingspan: 80″
- Length: 33 2/8″
- Hand: 9 1/2″
Sanders’ Combine/pro day results and athletic profile
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.67
- Bench Press: 20
- Broad Jump: 10′
- Vertical Jump: 33″
Myjai Sanders Scouting Report
In a defensive end class that includes Kayvon Thibodeaux, Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, and others, Sanders has naturally flown under the radar to this point. He doesn’t have the pedigree or the Power Five prestige of his counterparts, but should he be viewed on a similar plane, regardless?The Cincinnati DE quietly broke out in 2020. He was one of the more consistent edge defenders in the nation that year, with at least a half-sack in over half his games and at least 1 pass deflection in two more. Sanders’ 2021 season wasn’t quite as prolific, but he maintained a steady impact that the stats don’t always show. What does the tape say about Sanders’ play, and what he can be in the NFL?
Sanders’ athletic profile
Immediately, Sanders’ physical skill set stands out. The Cincinnati DE stands at around 6’5 1/4″, 247 pounds, and he appreciates the boons that come with that size. Sanders has a long, looming frame that affords him natural leverage. His frame also allows him to wrap up smaller ball carriers easily and disrupt passing windows. Additionally, Sanders has long stride lengths coming downhill, which magnify his speed of motion.Of course, length alone only gets edge rushers so far. Luckily for Sanders, he has a complete combination of skills, allowing him to produce in several ways. The Cincinnati DE has great natural explosiveness to pair with his length. Sanders accelerates briskly and with ease, and he adjusts his stride lengths when needed. He converts speed to power with exceptional efficiency, and his length serves as an excellent conduit for his initial burst. On top of his straight-line explosiveness, Sanders also has great lateral athleticism and twitch.
Explosiveness and length are two valuable traits in conjunction, but bend is another crucial variable for edge rushers. Sanders shows this in flashes. His hips have some stiffness, but he possesses quality torso flexibility. Furthermore, he shows glimpses of substantial ankle flexion. He’s quick to recoil and lash back forward when hit, and he flashes balance and recovery athleticism against power.
Sanders can still be more consistent with his bend. Nevertheless, his overall capacity is impressive, and this offers him exciting upside.
Execution beyond the athletic traits
With his length, explosiveness, and bend capacity, Sanders has a physical foundation that’s bristling with potential. He can take more steps to better channel his athletic traits, but some intangible attributes are present that further compound the promise seen on tape.Sanders is incredibly instinctive when anticipating the snap. He keys in on hard-count patterns throughout a game and times his launches to get a step ahead of his blocker. When engaged 1-on-1 with tackles along the edge, Sanders flashes fast hands and targeted maneuvers. He’s also shown the ability to stack rushing moves. Sanders already has a sturdy arsenal, complete with high-level speed-to-power conversion, push-pulls, bull rushes, arm-overs, and rips.
In run defense, Sanders boasts similar progression. His length allows him to establish anchors and establish half-man relationships, even if he isn’t the strongest player. His flexibility allows him to absorb blocks and run with plays. Moreover, he’s flashed the ability to disengage in a timely manner and burst toward the ball carrier. Sanders’ run defense isn’t perfect, but he still plays with palpable energy and good pursuit speed.
Areas for improvement
As enticing as Sanders is with his physical upside, there’s still work to do, even after his fourth year. Such is the case with all prospects. However, there are some especially pressing questions for Sanders and his NFL projection.Physically, Sanders has room to get stronger. His body isn’t dense, and he doesn’t always have the raw power to break opposing anchors in run defense. Larger linemen can easily handle his lighter frame with plus grip strength, and he sometimes gives up too much surface area by trying to shoot gaps. He struggles to keep weight on his frame as well. This may be remedied with an NFL training regimen but is something to keep an eye on.
Although Sanders is stronger as a pass rusher, he could still improve there. The Cincinnati DE can make a concerted effort to get lower and utilize his bend capacity more often. His movement can become choppy when trying to sink to the ground, and he loses his balance easily in these situations. Additionally, Sanders can sustain his speed through rushes and hand usage with more consistency. He has a working arsenal but can be uncoordinated and lack control at times.
Among other things, Sanders’ eagerness to jump the snap might get him in trouble at the NFL level. Veteran quarterbacks have more success deceiving younger defenders with hard counts. He did get better at reading option plays in 2021, which is a promising sign.
Sanders’ 2022 NFL Draft scouting report overview
Sanders didn’t quite take on the senior leap that some were hoping to see from him. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of high-level traits to mold with Sanders. Although he’s a bit lighter and not as strong or naturally powerful as other rushers, he’s long, explosive, and shows the ability to bend below the tackle in spurts. He also has visible quick twitch and lateral athleticism, which he uses to generate displacement.Sanders will need to do a better job controlling and channeling his traits in the NFL. He has the burst, bend, hand speed, and enough moves in his arsenal. He can also generate power with his explosiveness and length. However, he has yet to consistently use his traits in conjunction with one another. That active multitasking ability is significant for edge defenders. Sanders has shown it in flashes, but he can still be more reliable on a down-to-down basis.
If Sanders can hone his natural traits and couple them with fast, precise hand movements, he can be a truly exciting player. He checks many of the physical boxes, and on rare occasions, has displayed the ability to sustain acceleration while cornering the edge. The Senior Bowl was a promising sign in this sense, as Sanders was a consistent disruptor in practices.
With other EDGE prospects rising, Sanders is likely a Day 2 pick at best. But as a 3-4 stand-up edge rusher, he has enticing potential. He can be an impact starter at his max projection.
Sanders’ Player Profile
Players like Thibodeaux and Zach Harrison were both five-star recruits. Drake Jackson was a four-star recruit and managed to crack the top 150 in his respective class. Sanders, meanwhile, didn’t have nearly as much notoriety coming out of high school.Sanders was a three-star recruit in the 2018 class and a middling one at that. Ranked as the 73rd player at his position and the 135th overall player in Florida, many Power Five programs overlooked Sanders.
Of course, Sanders was easier to overlook back then. As a senior at Raines High School in Jacksonville, Sanders was a mere 6’4″, 215-pound defensive end. He generated decent athletic testing numbers, but that wasn’t enough to earn him additional prestige.
Nevertheless, Sanders still had offers from Kentucky, Maryland, Ole Miss, and Rutgers. However, nothing beat the chance to play for Luke Fickell and the budding Bearcats.
Sanders’ career at Cincinnati and NFL Draft ascension
The Bearcats were patient with Sanders as he grew into his frame at defensive end. Still, he put in the work to size up against Division I-A competition. Sanders was already 6’5″, 233 pounds by weigh-in day ahead of his true freshman season. It was a marked improvement from his high school weight, but he only saw limited playing time in Year 1.The taste of action drove Sanders to keep working, and he arrived as a true sophomore at his current size — 6’5″, 258 pounds. At last, Sanders was ready to take on a starting role, and he didn’t disappoint. The Cincinnati DE started all 14 games in 2019, amassing 40 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 pass deflections, and a forced fumble.
In 2020, Sanders expanded on his early success as a starter. He became one of Cincinnati’s driving forces on defense. Once again, the Florida product was a regular in the starting lineup. Over the Bearcats’ 10-game slate, Sanders put up 31 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 5 pass breakups. For his production, Sanders was named a first-team All-AAC selection, alongside teammate Ahmad Gardner.
Sanders came back hungry for more in 2021. On the stat sheet, he didn’t get it. He put up 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 5 pass deflections over the course of the year. But much of Sanders’ impact remained off the stat sheet. He made a steady impact and helped anchor a defensive unit that led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff. He compounded that momentum with a strong Senior Bowl showing, and he has the talent to keep it rolling in the NFL.
Tony Pauline’s scouting report for Myjai Sanders
Positives: Athletic defensive front-seven prospect who can be used out of a three-point stance and standing over tackle. Smooth and fluid, easily moves down the line of scrimmage in pursuit of the action, and has a closing burst. Breaks down well, uses his hands to protect himself, and gives effort defending the run.Explodes off the snap out of a three-point stance and shows great speed up the field and off the edge. Agile, easily redirects, and bends off the corner. Quickly changes direction and immediately alters his angle of attack.
Negatives: Has a tall, thin build and gets taken from the action by tight ends. May struggle keeping weight on. Must learn to make plays moving in reverse.
Analysis: Sanders was a very productive defender for Cincinnati as a pass rusher and made plays in space. His frame and inability to keep weight on will be an issue. But at the very least, Sanders projects as a situational pass rusher.
Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati DE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Overlooked and underrated, Cincinnati DE Myjai Sanders has the makings of an NFL Draft riser, as his scouting report details.
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Wrong post?Cameron Thomas Scouting Report
Comparisons are not something to take lightly. Lofty comparisons, like Aidan Hutchinson and J.J. Watt, hold a player up to an almost unattainable high standard. The Michigan DE has established himself as an early-first-round prospect with sensational play this season. Watt rose up draft boards during 2011 and went on to dominate in the NFL. These are serious stars that the San Diego State defensive end is being aligned with.
Nevertheless, it’s immediately apparent upon turning on the tape for Thomas’ scouting report that we’re dealing with a special player. You don’t have to search for the good reps, the San Diego State DE is easily distinguishable from his peers on every down. But what is it about his scouting report that makes Thomas such an impressive talent in this class?
When you turn on the tape, it’s hard to believe that Thomas arrived at San Diego State at 235 pounds. Sure, lots of prospects go through a physical transformation. However, at 6’4″ and 264 pounds, Thomas looks like a full-grown man at the line of scrimmage.
Behind his imposing physical frame lies an incredibly powerful athlete. One of the first things you notice when watching Thomas go to work is the ease with which he moves people at the point of attack. This is evident across the line, whether rushing from a wide alignment or engaging from the numerous spots he’s played across the defensive formation.
Powerful, athletic, and technically refined
On multiple occasions, I witnessed him walk an offensive tackle backward with just one arm while using the other to disrupt the passing lane. This is not only the result of brute strength but also due to incredibly powerful hands. His punch is devastating, and with lightning-fast handwork, there are very few offensive linemen who have the ability to protect themselves from the San Diego State DE. Furthermore, he’s extremely adept at disengaging from blockers in a timely manner to stop the run behind the line.
When you combine his hand technique with his impressive athleticism, Thomas is a difficult man to stop. He wins with unerring ease, whether attacking outside or on the interior. He can go through, around, and even in between blockers. For a big man, Thomas makes himself skinny to knife through gaps with apparent ease. He regularly attracts double-team blocks, and they regularly fail.
Thomas has an impressive array of pass-rush tools. He showcases a potent bull rush, a swim move that could carry him across an ocean in a hurry, and he has double swipe and rip moves at his disposal. However, more impressive than simply possessing these moves is that he is extremely efficient at combining moves to beat his man.
I feel comfortable in saying that Thomas is one of the most exciting defensive end prospects that I’ve studied in the 2022 NFL Draft class. In a deep class, that isn’t an easy accomplishment. Yet, the San Diego State DE makes everything look easy. He’s explosive, athletic, powerful, big, long, and technically savvy. He’s the real deal, and there’s no reason why he can’t penetrate the first round come April.
Areas for improvement
Thomas is an impressive 2022 NFL Draft prospect whose opportunity to establish himself on this class was hampered by injury in the early part of Senior Bowl week. While he possesses an impressive scouting report, there are some areas where he doesn’t quite match up to the top tier of his pass-rush peers.
In the games studied, Thomas’ effectiveness appeared to wane towards the end of the game. There may be mitigating factors that I’m unaware of, but it could also point to a lack of stamina. He needs to prove that he can be a disruptive force throughout all four quarters to make a consistent impact at the NFL level.
While Thomas is an exceptional pass rusher, he doesn’t possess elite bend. His bend is sufficient, and given his size, you could even go as far as to say excellent. But in an NFL landscape trending towards bendier edge rushers, that might halt his ascent up the class.
As a pass rusher, Thomas creates a lot of pressure. However, he hasn’t been hyper-productive during his career. Sometimes he arrives on the scene a second too late, especially when rushing around the outside track. That slight delay can make a big difference, especially at the next level.
Thomas’ Player Profile
An impressive 2022 NFL Draft prospect, Thomas’ outstanding performances and production for San Diego State have earned him some national attention. However, the spotlight hasn’t always shone brightly on the Carlsbad, California, native. In fact, he was just a three-star recruit in the 2018 class, barely making it into the top 2,000 players in the nation.
Furthermore, he sat outside the top 100 players at his position as per 247 Sports. Although positional versatility is a blessing in the draft process, when you bounce from position to position early in your high school career, it can dilute your stock and blur your profile. Thomas had played on either side of the trenches in youth football, as an LB early at Carlsbad High, and finished his final two years splitting time between TE and DE.
At 6’5″ and 235 pounds, Thomas didn’t have the physical profile of a game-wrecking college defensive end. Additionally, with just 9.5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss during his junior and senior seasons, he didn’t have the production of an elite high school recruit either.
Despite this, he received offers from Navy and Wyoming, with further interest from some Pac-12 schools. However, a family connection helped bring about his eventual destination. Older brother Zachary was an offensive tackle at San Diego State. Having spent some time around the program, it made perfect sense to make Brookshire Street home when he got the call.
Thomas’ career at San Diego State
Undersized, Thomas had to undergo some physical development on arrival at San Diego State. As a result, he redshirted his freshman season in 2018. Still, he traveled with the team to three games and saw special-teams snaps in the Frisco Bowl. All the while, he was polishing his craft against his brother during practice sessions.
Thomas exploded onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2019. He started the season opener against Weber State at nose tackle — his first of 12 starts that year. At DT, Thomas made plays against UCLA. But it was a then-career-high 6 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, against New Mexico State that opened the eyes of Aztec fans to the impressive game wrecker that was within their midst.
Thomas equaled those 6 tackles in two further games in 2019, tallying 49 total tackles on the year. In that first season at San Diego State, Thomas tallied more tackles for loss (9.5) than in his previous two years of high school football.
With 13 QB hurries, 5.5 sacks, and 2 pass breakups, Thomas was named the team’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. Furthermore, he received national accolades as a second-team Freshman All-American.
Pass-rush production leads to accolades and national attention
Thomas was also named first-team All-Mountain West, an accolade he’d repeat in his redshirt sophomore campaign. In doing so, he became only the second San Diego State player to earn the accolade multiple times. In the disrupted 2020 season, he only played in eight games. However, Thomas logged 9.5 TFL, 4 sacks, and an astonishing 14 QB hurries. In a standout game against Colorado, he led the team with 14 tackles, 4 QB hurries, 3 TFL, and 1 sack.
As a result of his 2020 performances, Thomas began his redshirt-junior season on multiple watch lists. Yet, even those preseason expectations were obliterated by his devastating 2021 season form. He racked up 3.5 tackles for loss against New Mexico State in the season opener, a feat he’d repeat against Nevada.
An unstoppable juggernaut, the San Diego State DE registered a tackle for loss in all but one game. He also had a sack in all but four of the Aztecs’ 14 games, ending the year with 20.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks. For the third consecutive season, Thomas earned first-team All-Mountain West honors. In his final season for the Aztecs, he was also named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. Earning national attention, Thomas was invited to the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.
There was an expectation of Thomas elevating his NFL Draft stock. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury prevented him from partaking in either. Nevertheless, he was able to do some testing drills at the San Diego State Pro Day. He recorded a 4.25 shuttle that would have been fourth-best amongst DEs at the NFL Combine and a 6.91 three-cone that compared favorably with Hutchinson and Travon Walker. Wherever Thomas is drafted, the powerful prospect has the ability to be a disruptive defensive end in the NFL.
Tony Pauline’s scouting report for Cameron Thomas
Positives: Terrific college pass rusher coming off a tremendous junior campaign. Fires off the snap and plays with terrific quickness and pad level. Works his hands throughout the action, keeps his feet moving, and is rarely off his feet.
Gets a lot of momentum going up the field, can bend off the edge, and shows tremendous closing speed. Immediately alters his angle of attack, easily flattens from the backside, and chases the action hard. Agile, nicely redirects to the action, and gives effort against the run.
Negatives: Displays very limited strength in his game and easily out-positioned by a single blocker. Has a long, lanky build and will be a liability defending the run on Sundays. Was seemingly intimidated during Senior Bowl practices.
Analysis: Thomas was a consistent performer at San Diego State his first two seasons before blowing up last year and becoming a pass-rushing terror. He has the skills and body type to line up at defensive end in a four-man front.
Thomas should only improve as he physically matures and fills out his frame. That being the case, he must show a fierce and competitive side in camp this summer or he’ll never make an active roster.
Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati DE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Overlooked and underrated, Cincinnati DE Myjai Sanders has the makings of an NFL Draft riser, as his scouting report details.
mjb21aztd
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Nice likin going defense these last couple picks 
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Where he wins: Explosiveness
Sanders wins with pure explosiveness. His get-off combined with his length is enough to make an impact at the NFL level. Add to that his physical play style, and you can see why there's a lot to like.
What's his role: Project Edge
Sanders is a pure edge. His speed can be used as a weapon on stunts and slants from Day 1, depending on the scheme. With a little refinement in his bull rush, he can start to be a pocket pusher.
What can he Improve: Balance
Sanders' balance issues aren't necessarily something that can be fixed overnight. Whatever it takes to fix, though, needs to be done because he can't end up on the ground that much in the NFL.
Sanders wins with pure explosiveness. His get-off combined with his length is enough to make an impact at the NFL level. Add to that his physical play style, and you can see why there's a lot to like.
What's his role: Project Edge
Sanders is a pure edge. His speed can be used as a weapon on stunts and slants from Day 1, depending on the scheme. With a little refinement in his bull rush, he can start to be a pocket pusher.
What can he Improve: Balance
Sanders' balance issues aren't necessarily something that can be fixed overnight. Whatever it takes to fix, though, needs to be done because he can't end up on the ground that much in the NFL.
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Myjai Sanders
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Myjai Sanders' NFL draft profile
Take a look at some of the most impactful plays from DE Myjai Sanders in his time at Cincinnati.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Sanders' greatest strength is his ability to fire out with leverage, shoot his hands and stack blockers. He's tough for his size; he weighed 247 pounds at his pro day after weighing 228 at the combine, reportedly while dealing with a stomach bug. Sanders has outstanding top-end speed and chases with good effort. He flashes as a hand fighter, has the body control to win with outside-in moves and bends well, but his production didn't match his talent rushing the passer. -- Steve Muench
Pass rusher this year . Maybe more in the future.
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I am a fan of this pick. He won't be a 10 sack a game player. He will get 3-5 though.
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HELLS YES!!! Love this pick too! Keep loading up on rushers, take a couple OL and cb’s, then UFA RB’s and then we can start hitting FA for some bargains! Feeling MUCH better about the draft today. Even excited about the TE.
Evil Ash
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Nah we liked him so much we drafted him twice
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I fixed it, lol
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Good pick, I like both Thomas and him. They fill a big hole in our defense
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Myjai Sanders NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for Cincinnati EDGE
HEIGHT: 6'5 1/4"
WEIGHT: 228
HAND: 9 1/4"
WINGSPAN: 6'7 7/8"
40-YARD DASH: 4.67
3-CONE: DNP
SHUTTLE: 4.37
VERTICAL: 33"
BROAD: 10'0"
POSITIVES
— Good length. Able to strike OL first.
— Above-average hand usage. Remains active and makes OL struggle to latch on. Flashes of good strength.
— Above-average eyes versus the run.
— Great explosiveness. Pops off the film at the snap.
— Good acceleration to the edge. Can win the corner with speed alone.
— Above-average flexibility in his angles. Can stay upright and run a tight corner at times.
— Nimble feet and good agility. Can stop/start with ease; occasionally gets OL to punch at air.
NEGATIVES
— Stiff hips. Struggles to get low and bend through contact to the QB.
— Was listed at 255 pounds at Cincinnati but dropped significant weight ahead of the NFL combine (228) and still did not test well.
— Below-average base and balance. Can get too narrow with his base and get knocked off his spot.
— Inconsistent power behind his punch as a pass-rusher.
— Approach versus the run can be reckless. Drops his eyes.
2021 STATISTICS
14 G, 41 TOT, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 SK, 1 FR
NOTES
— Three-year starter.
— 2020 and 2021 first-team All-AAC.
OVERALL
Myjai Sanders is a mercurial prospect thanks in part to the scheme he played in. At 6'5" and 228 pounds, his lean build is best suited to be a traditional edge defender, but Cincinnati often aligned him at 4-tech and 5-tech. Sanders comes off the ball exceptionally well, both with his hand in the ground and when standing up, and accelerates with his following steps to win the edge right away.
Though he can not dip low and bend very effectively, he has enough juice and ankle flexibility to run a tight corner from time to time. Sanders also plays with fast hands, made even more effective by his long arms and his ability to mix up his approach to attack either inside or outside. Sanders' twitchiness and light feet also allow him to make linemen miss in a phone booth, which comes in handy both versus the run and the pass.
Sanders' game right now is inhibited by his inconsistent strength and physicality. He rarely shows real strength in his hands when engaging as a pass-rusher, and he does not have the raw lower-body power to be a bull-rusher. Additionally, Sanders can be sloppy in the running game, often dropping his eyes and getting too narrow in his base, leading to him getting locked out of plays.
In all, Sanders has enticing length, explosiveness and hand usage that make him a worthwhile Day 2 bet. He can win as a speed and finesse pass-rusher out of the gate while working to add a bit of muscle and home in on his consistency in run defense.
GRADE: 7.1 (High-level Backup/Potential Starter - 3rd Round)
OVERALL RANK: 99
POSITION RANK: EDGE13
PRO COMPARISON: Kemoko Turay
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Sign me up for 3-5 sacks per game.
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I hope he gets to keep #21. It would be nice to see someone wearing that number tackle somebody.
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Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft
Titans move up for a Qb? Did they think we were taking him?
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Harry called it
PJ1
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2.5 sacks in 2021.
Dayman
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I really like the last two picks. I wanted either Jackson or Bonitto over McBride, but Sanders and Thomas help soften the blow. Especially Sanders. He can start as a situational rusher and develop from there.
Buckybird
Hoist the Lombardi Trophy
He’s got some talent but I still think he’s a huuuuge project! Can he put on 30-40 pounds that he will likely need to be an NFL edge player?
A big reach imo. Better players & talent on the board. But hey it is Keim & companies board. Lol
A big reach imo. Better players & talent on the board. But hey it is Keim & companies board. Lol
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228 lbs at combine? Running backs will knock him on his arse.
juza76
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I read 247
juza76
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Sanders reminds me Leonard Floyd
