Shedeur Sanders is fighting to earn a starting spot on the Cleveland Browns in a fierce quarterback battle. However, he is not the only one in the family trying to get an NFL job. Shilo Sanders is trying out on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his head coach Todd Bowles just gave an update on his situation.
Bowles spoke on Thursday about Shilo’s chance to make the final 53-man roster. “He’s coming along. He’s getting the scheme down.“ Bowles also said via the Bucs’ official transcript, “He’s made plays like everybody else back there. There are a few tests that come up during the preseason — Tuesday night was one, and the other three preseason games and practices will be others. He’s got a chance to make it.“
Sanders spent six years in College, playing the last two alongside brother Shedeur and under father Deion in Colorado. The 25-year-old safety went undrafted and signed to Tampa Bay after.
What are Sanders’ strengths?
Last year, Sanders had 67 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, one which he returned for a touchdown. On paper, those are decent-to-good numbers.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – MAY 09: Shilo Sanders #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers works out during the 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rookie Mini-Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Among his NFL Draft profile strengths, scouts point to Shilo’s ability to transition his hips with adequate fluidity. They also highlight Sanders’ ability to strike receivers, field awareness and skills to change direction at a high pace.
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Why did he go undrafted?
Well, he has strengths, but he is not an All-World defensive back. Shilo has some key deficiencies in his game. According to the report, he lacks suddenness, instincts to play high safety, and open-field tackles are his major issues.
A safety that has trouble tackling in open space or that limits the staff by not being able to adapt to a high safety scheme will not do you any favors. However, Todd Bowles is not discarding Sanders to make the roster. This means he’s shown enough talent to at least make it a discussion.
