The Sanders family didn’t get the NFL Draft experience they were expecting this week. Shedeur Sanders became the center of a media storm, dominating headlines as the No. 1 story across the country. In the end, though, both Shedeur and his brother Shilo Sanders got their NFL opportunities — and the family appears to be in high spirits.
The NFL Came Calling for the Sanders Brothers, Eventually
Shedeur was always going to get a chance. Daniel Jeremiah ranked him as the 20th-best player in the entire draft, and while he wasn’t selected in the first round, that talent was bound to find a home.
It just wasn’t expected to happen on a roster that already had four quarterbacks, including another rookie the franchise had already picked over the Colorado QB.
The Cleveland Browns selected left-handed QB Dillon Gabriel in the third round before circling back two rounds later to draft Shedeur as well.
After what must have felt like the longest two days and nights of his life, Shedeur celebrated by jumping into the pool at his family’s home in Canton, Texas, wearing a Cleveland Browns hat as he soaked in the moment.
Leading up to the call, Shedeur faced it all — his character was questioned, his interviews were criticized, and even a cruel prank call pretending to be an NFL team tried to rattle him.
Meanwhile, Shilo went undrafted but quickly signed a free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While live on Twitch, Shilo danced as their father, NFL legend Deion Sanders, sat beside them during the stream. Shedeur later joined them, and the family celebrated a moment they fought hard to reach.
“Can’t nothing stop us, because it’s W God, we’re not worried about nothing,” Shilo said.
Deion Sanders, Shilo Sanders, and Shedeur Sanders speak after the 2025 NFL DRAFT
“can’t nothing stop us, because it’s W God, we not worried about nothing” ❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/PdczYrThKw
— ryan 🤿 (@scubaryan_) April 26, 2025
Shilo also showed gratitude for his father, who coached him and his brother throughout their football journeys to get to this moment.
The Sanders Brothers Will Have to Earn Every Snap in the NFL
Neither Shedeur nor Shilo is guaranteed a spot on their respective rosters. They’ll have to earn it the hard way — through work, dedication, and without Deion’s coaching.
Shedeur enters the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room listed as the fifth-string QB. With Deshaun Watson likely to miss the entire 2025 season, his roster spot could open, but Cleveland still isn’t expected to carry four quarterbacks into the season.
The mission for Shedeur is clear: beat out Dillon Gabriel or Kenny Pickett to stick around. Joe Flacco might start the season, but if Sanders impresses, there’s a chance he could see game action in 2025.
Shilo will face an uphill battle as an undrafted free agent, where the odds are always tough. He’ll need to maximize every rep during rookie minicamp and preseason with the Buccaneers to prove he belongs in the NFL.