Summary

Khalen Saunders was selected in the 3rd Round (#84 Overall) in the 2019 Draft out of Western Illinois University. Saunders is a well‑built interior defensive lineman whose strengths lie in his compact power, gap‑penetration ability, and experience in successful teams. While not the tallest or longest at his position, he uses leverage and athleticism to his advantage. The main constraints are production volume (especially pass‑rush) relative to elite counterparts, anchoring power in heavy run‑schemes, and durability/readiness. With his recent move to the Jaguars and if he continues developing, Saunders projects as a valuable starter or key rotational piece who can make meaningful contributions and possibly step into a higher tier with the right refinement.

Strengths

• Compact but powerful build / solid athleticism for size: While he stands 6′0″, which is shorter than many interior linemen, Saunders uses that low pad level and leverage to his advantage. Reports from his college draft profile praised his “great athleticism … uses it to exploit gaps or beat blockers in space.”

• Gap‑penetration ability & burst to disrupt plays: He has shown the ability to shoot gaps, disrupt the back‑field, and finish some plays behind the line of scrimmage. For example, in 2024 he produced 3 tackles for loss and logged his first career interception (returned 37 yards) as a member of the Saints. New Orleans Saints

• Experience in winning environments & high‑character piece: Having been part of two Super Bowl winning teams, Saunders brings playoff experience and a “winning culture” mentality. That can help in locker room leadership or situational moments.

• Versatility along the interior: His ability to occupy multiple interior spots or play in different fronts gives defensive coordinators flexibility. Being shorter for the position actually aids him in leveraging blocks and playing low.

Weaknesses

• Pass‑rush consistency & elite production volume: While he has shown flashes of disruption, his sack (6.5 career sacks) and big‑play totals remain modest for someone expected to be a high‑impact interior lineman. He also doesn’t appear consistently among the top tiers of interior pressures based on advanced metrics. PlayerProfiler

• Length / arm‑length disadvantage and anchoring vs power: At 6′0″ and with shorter arms compared to many interior defensive tackles, some earlier scouting noted he sometimes struggles with leverage and anchoring when faced with heavier double‑teams or power‑blocking schemes.

• Durability / injury history & career continuity: Saunders has had seasons with limited games: for example, early in his career he missed significant time. Continuity and consistent health are areas to watch.

• Run‑defense edge & play‑volume in certain schemes: While competent, he may be less dominant against true power blockers and in set‑runs where the emphasis is “win your one‑tech / two‑gap job” rather than penetrate. His role may be best suited for one‑gap, aggressor schemes rather than “anchor every down” roles.

Fit & Outlook

Saunders fits best in a defense that uses an aggressive one‑gap or hybrid interior scheme—one that values penetration, disruption, and movement rather than a pure two‑gap, heavy‑anchor role. With the Jaguars acquiring him in 2025, it signals they see him as a contributor to that kind of style (or rotation piece for depth). If Saunders can stay healthy, refine his technique (hands, block shedding, leverage), and continue to generate disruption, his ceiling is as a reliable starter interior DL—not necessarily the top‑tier 15‑sack interior every year, but a strong contributor who adds value in run‑defense and occasional pass‑rush. His floor is a very good rotational piece who offers interior depth and experience in big games.