Credit where it's due: Jason Licht knows how to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers relevant.
Typically, UDFA signings aren't that interesting. Unless you're a true draft sicko, the blissful moment that seventh round ends means you're allowed to smell the wonder that is fresh oxygen once again. You go bask in the sun's rays; draft trades can't hurt you anymore. Those UDFA announcements will still be there on Monday morning if you really need them.
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But the Bucs ruined that. They ruined all of it with one single move: signing former Colorado safety Shiloh Sanders. You may know Sanders from his time as the Buffs' starting safety, or from his Instagrams, or from the fact that he's the very famous son of a very famous football player. You know, one of those reasons.
It was announced shortly after the draft ended that the Bucs had signed Sanders, which isn't nearly as surprising as it is notable – he was always considered, at best, a late-round pick, and seeing some team take a chance on a defensive back with perhaps the most famous last name in the history of defensive backs is a very NFL thing to do. On Tuesday, though, Bucs GM Jason Licht explained in a bit more detail why they actually made the move.
The Bucs' reason for signing Shiloh Sanders as a UDFA is actually extremely simple
“After the draft his agent reached out if we would be interested," he said. "Todd & I looked at each other nodded & said ya let’s do it ... Todd said Coach Prime called him & thanked him for bringing Shilo in and giving him a fair shot.'
Huh. OK then. I sort of figured there'd be slightly more of an explanation to this, but I guess 'his agent asked us to sign him,' is as good an excuse as any when it comes to UDFAs. I also wasn't aware that's how it works? Agents can just ask for favors like that?
It's also worth wondering if Shilo would have ended up in Tampa Bay if he hadn't fired Deion as his agent and gotten someone who clearly knows what they're doing.
All in all, I bet Bucs fans don't really care one way or another why they signed Sanders. It doesn't feel particularly important? He's on the team for at least the next couple months, and it'll be fun to watch how his training camp goes. There's a legit chance he makes the team, too, which his why watching him will be fasacinating to watch.
Plus, there's not a whole lot going on the next few months, so this is a nice little treat for fans who want to invest in something other than reckless speculation.