Jim Harbaugh boldly reveals his favorite Chargers UDFAs to make the roster

Jim Harbaugh held media availability on the first day of LA Chargers rookie minicamp. With nine new players from the team's 2025 draft class in addition to 18 undrafted free agents, there's quite a bit of competition brewing on the roster.

Also included in the rookie minicamp are tryout players like Utah safety Alaka'i Gilman and Mississippi State basketball convert OT Jimmy Bell Jr, who both specifically received minicamp invites.

It's a tall task for any undrafted free agent to make the roster, especially on a team that is expected to contend for a playoff spot. But the first three undrafted gems that came to Harbaugh's mind are perhaps notable from the standpoint of future roster construction.

Harbaugh started his comments by talking about the players that the coaching staff doesn't feel like they have to evaluate in rookie minicamp. He specifically mentioned RB Omarion Hampton and Tre Harris in that category, but extended that distinction to all of the team's drafted players.

Jim Harbaugh specifically hypes up three Chargers UDFAs

The names Harbaugh mentioned after that as gems were interesting. The first name he mentioned was UDFA South Carolina RB Raheim "Rocket" Sanders.

"Rocket Sanders, I know him well," Harbaugh started. "I mean, he's got great tape."

Daniel Popper of The Athletic noted that Raheim Sanders was the only undrafted free agent player to not participate in special teams and strength and conditioning drills later in practice. That's certainly an indication that the Chargers have seen enough from the tape to put him at the top of their UDFA class. Sanders rushed for 881 yards on 183 carries last year, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt. He ran a 4.46 at the NFL Combine in March.

Harbaugh shouted out two other UDFA Chargers players after his praise of Sanders. "Receiver from Kansas Luke (Grimm), he's got great tape," Harbaugh said. "I think there's gonna be quite a few guys out there. Stevo Klotz, I like his tape. You know, there's gonna be gems out there."

Grimm will likely compete for the last receiver spot on the roster. The Chargers kept seven in their initial 53-man roster last season when Brenden Rice made the team.

Iowa State TE/FB Stevo Klotz will probably get reps at both of those spots and special teams. Here was Harbaugh's response when asked if he'd be a fullback, tight end, or both:

"Fullback, tight end and special teams," Harbaugh stated. "I think that he can be an above average core special team player in the National Football League. And where he's at right now, I think he could acquit himself well at one of those two positions."

It'll be a long time until the 53-man roster is decided in late August, but it appears Sanders, Grimm, and Klotz are the three key UDFAs to watch as the offseason progresses.