When the Los Angeles Chargers signed their group of undrafted players this past spring, it was an interesting mix of 18 players. However, expectations for most all of them to make this year's 53-man roster were pretty low.
With the four-game preseason slate now concluded, the Chargers have until 1:00 PM Pacific time on Tuesday to get down to their league-mandated number of 53 players on the roster. That is going to include some difficult decisions, with some of those undrafted free agents factoring in.
There is no guarantee that any of these undrafted free agents will make this year's team, but a few of them put their best foot forward, while another, a popular dark horse pick by some, likely saw his chances go up in smoke in the preseason finale.
Marlowe Wax, LB
Undrafted out of Syracuse, Marlowe Wax did everything an undrafted player can to make a football team. Not only was he feisty and disruptive on defense, but he also showed that he can play some special teams.
If we're being honest, he's been a better player than Junior Colson, but the Chargers are not going to cut Colson in his favor. He deserves a spot on the 53, but the team will be taking a big risk by exposing him to waivers if it chooses to waive him.
marlowe wax? nah, marlowe sacks.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) August 24, 2025
📺 | CBS2 LA pic.twitter.com/Ky48RIeLx6
Raheim Sanders, RB
Fans were high on the undrafted running back out of South Carolina nicknamed "Rocket," and after a small speedbump with an injury to start training camp, he showed that he should be on this roster and truthfully, should almost be a lock.
Sanders carried the ball 28 times during the preseason for 101 yards and while that is only a 3.6 yards per carry average, it was nearly a full yard better than Kimani Vidal, whom he may have been in direct competition. He also scored two touchdowns while catching five passes for 29 yards.
He needs some more development, but sitting behind guys like Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris would give him the time to be able to do that.
Nikko Reed, CB
The Chargers had six interceptions during this preseason and five of those were made by players who went undrafted. Nikko Reed had one of those, returning it 60 yards. He played well in coverage during the preseason and gave the kind of effort you want to see from players on the roster bubble.
Fellow undrafted rookie Eric Rogers, who suffered an injury in the team's second preseason game, also deserves a mention. Both he and Reed are arguably better players than Ja'Sir Taylor, who is entering his fourth year with the team.
Luke Grimm, WR
Luke Grimm was an early pick to be able to steal a roster spot but after an up-and-down summer, he will likely be on the outside looking in.
Grimm returned a punt for a touchdown in the team's third preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, but on Saturday in the preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers, he muffed two punts which resulted in turnovers. That cannot happen.
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Though he closed that game with a touchdown reception, his chances to make the team are likely grim, pardon the pun.
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