The story of the 2025 NFL Draft was the fall of Shedeur Sanders and his eventual selection by the Cleveland Browns. While the dust finally settled after he was picked in the fifth round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made sure the Sanders name wasn't done being discussed yet.
The Bucs agreed to terms with Shilo Sanders, older brother of Shedeur and the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, in the early stages of undrafted free agency. Shilo will join a secondary that added cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the NFL Draft.
Sanders faces an uphill battle to make to the NFL, but he did land in a spot that is both in need of proven defensive back talent and is coach by someone who can get the most out of young cornerbacks in Todd Bowles. Perhaps both Sanders boys will make it in the NFL this year.
Buccaneers sign Shilo Sanders as undrafted free agent
Sanders, who wore his father's No. 21 this past season at Colorado, was in college for six years. He started out at South Carolina before linking backup with his father and brother at Jackson State and following them when the traveling circus moved to Boulder.
Sanders recorded 134 tackles, five forced fumbles, and one interception in his two seasons with the Buffaloes. His best traits as a player are his football IQ (aided by his father being such a successful player and coach), ability to cover ground in zone, and surprising ball skills.
However, he went undrafted for a reason. On top of the fact he has an ACL tear in his history, Shilo's man coverage skills need a ton of work. Regarded by many as too small to be a traditional safety and too slow to stick at cornerback, Sanders may be a man without a position when he gets to the NFL.
Sanders is likely not going to make much of an impact in the NFL, but linking up with a coach like Todd Bowles could give him all the tools he needs to defy the odds and become a viable player at the professional level.