The 2025 NFL Draft is over, and the time immediately following the final pick is incredibly important for players who weren’t selected. Shilo Sanders was one of those players, and the often-forgotten son of Deion Sanders signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Shilo’s rookie contract won’t be nearly as large as his brother’s, Cleveland Browns’ fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders, but let’s examine the former Colorado safety’s new deal.
What Will Shilo Sanders Make on His Rookie Contract?
Shilo is two years older than Shedeur and attempted to follow Deion by playing defensive back. He initially enrolled at South Carolina and appeared in 13 games over two seasons before following his father to Jackson State in 2021. In his first year there, Shilo posted 39 tackles, three pass breakups, and four interceptions in 13 games. This was his best season at Jackson State, as an ACL injury cut the following year short.
He followed Deion and Shedeur to Colorado and took advantage of having two extra years of eligibility. In 2023, he returned from injury to play 11 games, totaling 70 tackles, three PBUs, four forced fumbles, and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown.
Shilo played 10 games in his final college season, posting 67 tackles and two pass breakups. He wasn’t a highly-rated prospect during the pre-draft process, and Shilo went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Going undrafted could be seen as a blessing for lower-rated prospects as they gain the freedom to choose where they go.
By the time the seventh round rolls around, some players actually prefer to become an undrafted free agent rather than get drafted because they want the freedom to negotiate with multiple teams to find the right roster fit. Also, UDFAs sometimes earn more guaranteed money than late-round picks since there is a bidding war for their services.
According to Spotrac, Sanders has signed a three-year, $2.965 million contract with the Buccaneers. He will earn $840,000 in year one, $1,005,000 in year two, and $1,120,000 in year three.
The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement limits the amount of total signing bonuses a club can give its entire UDFA class. Two years ago, that figure was reportedly $172,337. Instead, teams can guarantee a significant portion of a player’s salary to convince him to sign. This is the benefit of going undrafted, as a late-round draft pick won’t have guaranteed money worked into his contract.
After their three-year contract is complete, UDFAs will not have accrued enough NFL service time to become unrestricted free agents. Instead, they enter the league’s restricted free agent process, where they can be entered at one of four levels. However, if they’ve played well enough, an undrafted player can be extended after their second season, whereas draft picks have to wait until after their third.
Shilo was reportedly worth $320,000 heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, but will make more than that if he sees through the first year of his contract.
Pressure Mounts on Sanders Amid Battle for Roster Spot
Since Sanders was an undrafted free agent, he is not a lock to make the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster. As a result, he needed a strong training camp followed by good performances in the preseason games to earn a spot.
So far, he has played in both of the Buccaneers’ preseason games. He played in the first one against the Tennessee Titans, but had an underwhelming performance in preseason Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sanders finished with a tackle and a quarterback hit in the Buccaneers’ 29-7 win against the Titans. Against the Steelers, he recorded two solo tackles but faced criticism from fans on social media for his play.
Injuries to Tampa Bay’s secondary have opened a path for the former Colorado star to make the roster. However, his performance against the Steelers did him no favors. The Buccaneers’ last preseason game against the Buffalo Bills is of utmost importance for Sanders, and if he fails to play well, he will likely start the season on the practice squad instead of the main roster.
