Undrafted free agent Nikko Reed has become a name to remember during LA Chargers training camp. The former Oregon defensive camp has been a standout during camp and carried it over into the team's Hall of Fame Game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday.
Reed picked off Lions backup quarterback Kyle Allen and while it admittedly was a bad throw, Reed's read on the play and the way he jumped the route was a sight to behold. Reed nearly took it back to the house for a pick-six, just missing a defensive touchdown by mere yards.
Reed was one of the biggest bright spots of the Chargers' preseason win and received immense praise from his head coach after the game. Jim Harbaugh said Reed has been working through injuries in camp, and despite the deck being stacked against him, has continually balled out.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh: "Nikko Reed, guy that's been working through things all camp. But continues to work through them and play good."
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) August 1, 2025
Reed playing through an injury seemingly, was wearing the yellow non-contact jersey in practice. pic.twitter.com/PqDNUyUPie
Nikko Reed's odds of making Chargers roster jump after Hall of Fame Game
Reed still has an uphill battle to make the Chargers roster as a UDFA but there is certainly opportunity to earn a roster spot in the secondary.
The Chargers are deep at cornerback on paper but outside of Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, nobody's spot on the roster is locked in stone. New additions Benjamin St-Juste don't have concrete spots on the roster and the depth chart behind them is completely wide open.
This presents opportunity for Reed, who genuinely can make the roster if he accomplishes two things. First, he needs to continue flashing like he did on Thursday night both in the practice setting and in the preseason. Second, Reed needs to prove that he can be an above-average special teams player.
Reed's special teams play is arguably more important than his defensive output if he is to make a backend roster spot. But something tells us that if Reed is thriving in this way on defense already, he will more than hold his own on special teams.
This is just step one in what will be a preseason journey for Reed. One good preseason game is not going to get him a roster spot as a UDFA. However, the more he can stack good days on top of each other the better his chances are of suiting up for the Bolts in Week 1.
At the very least, Reed seems like a lock to make the Chargers practice squad after his training camp and preseason showings. Thursday's Hall of Fame Game may have been enough to guarantee that reality.