The LA Chargers signed 18 undrafted free agents after the 2025 NFL Draft and Jim Harbaugh did not hesitate to share who he was most excited about. One of those UDFAs was Raheim Sanders, who received preferential treatment during rookie minicamp when he was exempt from certain drills.
General manager Joe Hortiz was asked about why Sanders was able to sit out of certain drills during a recent appearance on Chargers Weekly and he made it abundantly clear how much the team like Sanders as a prospect.
In fact, according to Hortiz, Sanders was someone on their board who they seemingly were prepared to draft depending on how the draft shook out.
Joe Hortiz's comments bode well for Raheim Sanders' future on the Chargers
It's clear the Chargers are higher on Sanders than other UDFAs this offseason and that bodes well for his chances of making the roster. It's not hard to see why the Chargers love Sanders as a prospect, and quite frankly, it's shocking he wasn't drafted by another team.
The Chargers likely didn't draft Sanders because the team took Omarion Hampton in the first round and had other needs to fill. In most other draft classes, Sanders would have been taken by another team. But in a loaded running back class, he somehow fell through the cracks.
Sanders has all the makings of becoming a preseason fan favorite for the Chargers. The six-foot-two, 220-pound running back is bound to put up numbers in the preseason that increase his odds of making the 53-man roster.
Even with the support of Harbaugh and Hortiz, it will be an uphill battle for Sanders to make the roster. Hampton, Najee Harris and Kimani Vidal all occupy roster spots at this point in time. J.K. Dobbins also may return after the Chargers slapped a UFA tender on him.
Vidal has the least amount of job security in that group but he was also someone who the Chargers were high on in the fifth round last year. Vidal did well in his limited chances, and it would be surprising to see the Chargers give up on him so soon.
Even if he doesn't make the 53-man roster, Sanders is a near-lock to stick around on the practice squad and be the first elevation if someone in the RB room gets hurt. The Chargers just have to hope that another team doesn't scoop Sanders up, especially if he has a strong preseason.