One of the most notable moves of the NFL Draft didn't happen until after all the names had been called. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Colorado safety Shilo Sanders as part of the team's undrafted free agent class, giving him a chance to make the final roster and make good on continuing his father's legacy.
It's a shot that former Bucs running back Chase Edmonds thinks the rookie will make the most of.
He said as much while appearing on NFL Network after the draft, praising Sanders for how he supported his brother and making the bold prediction for what the future holds.
"It was a really cool thing to see where he jokes with his family and friends like 'dang bruh, if you sliding what they think of me?' and that was really cool to see. Shilo's going to be playing in Tampa Bay this season and that's a great locker room over there. I know Shilo will fit in," Edmonds said.
Notice how Edmonds didn't say Sanders might make the roster or that he'll be competing for a job in training camp. He's already juped straight to how he'll be in the locker room during the season, which is something that might be more likely than it seems.
Shilo Sanders might make the Bucs roster with more than just football skills
Tampa Bay has been incredibly thin at safety the last two years. Ryan Neal didn't work out in 2023 and Jordan Whitehead was brought back in what turned out to be a failed reunion last season. Christian Izien or Tykee Smith figure to be the starting safety next to Antoine Winfield Jr., but there's not a lot of depth beyond that.
Sanders could help fill the void, and at the very least he has a path to a roster spot by way of a special teams role. He'll have to prove himself on the field, but something Edmonds brought up should ressonate with fans.
He pointed out how Shilo consistently had his brother's back, not in a braggadocious way but in a genuine show of support.
"The one thing that I will point out that didn't get as much love, shout out to Shilo, his brother," Edmonds said on NFL Network. "You saw on their YouTube, man, he really took the pressure off of Shedeur and you can just see him make light, make positivity of the situation.
Tampa Bay's locker room has thrived off a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality over the last few years, one that Sanders naturally fits. It's also a culture that is ripe with the sort of actions that Shilo showed over draft weekend while supporting Shedeur.
Perhaps it won't work out in the end, but Shilo Sanders making the Bucs roster for all the right reasons feels a lot more possible than some might give it credit for.
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