Shilo Sanders, Desmond Watson come to mind for Buccaneers on Day 3 of NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The final day of the NFL Draft can take on an odd tone, which was definitely true in 2025 when Shedeur Sanders stole much of the spotlight.
But as soon as the seventh round was over, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took center stage by signing two of the most notable undrafted free agents, Shilo Sanders and Desmond Watson.
A year later, those moves mostly prove how hit or miss things can be this late in proceedings.
Shilo, Deion's other son, was a safety who was ejected from the Bucs' final preseason game and subsequently cut.
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Watson was known as the 464-pound defensive tackle from Florida. He signed, eventually was cut, signed again, and then was cut again.
The reality is that as the 2026 NFL Draft carries on, neither Shilo Sanders nor Desmond Watson is on an NFL roster.
They weren't even signed to those simple reserve/future contracts that teams have that allow them to have players in their facilities in the offseason.
Something could still change, but they might not have NFL futures.
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It's just fascinating to look back on the things that get the most attention. Those moves by the Buccaneers were both notable at the time.
And sure, everyone acknowledged that they may lead to nothing, but they still stood out. They still captured headlines.
A year later, no one really knows where Shilo Sanders or Desmond Watson even are. That's true for plenty of undrafted players, but they didn't all garner headlines. Sanders and Watson did, and now they're on the outside looking in.
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