The Los Angeles Chargers have been quietly adding impactful talent this offseason. In the middle of this influx of top flight personnel, an unexpected shining star is drawing rave reviews within the organization: undrafted rookie cornerback Nikko Reed. From overlooked prospect to a rising star in training camp, Reed’s remarkable performances have caught the eyes of coaches. The young corner may very well end up as the best value signing of the Chargers’ 2025 offseason.
Nikko Reed entered the NFL without the fanfare that usually accompanies draft picks, joining the Chargers as an undrafted free agent. Yet his presence on the practice field is making up for the lack of initial buzz. According to Chargers.com, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has praised Reed’s consistency, competitiveness, and knack for making plays, stating that the rookie makes “a play every day”.
Analytical comparisons highlight Reed’s talent and potential NFL impact. Despite being undrafted due to concerns about his athleticism and physical traits, Reed’s performance grades from 2024 show him outperforming selected peers who were drafted significantly earlier.
When measured against players such as Will Johnson (second-round corner), Nohl Williams (third round), and Jonathan Baldwin (another highly regarded undrafted free agent), Reed’s Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades in overall performance, tackling, and coverage surpass all three. As the graph also shows, Reed is also a more complete and well balanced player than his three peers.
With such good data, why did Reed go undrafted? The reality is Nikko Reed is very undersized for his position. Many scouts were worried that his collegiate performance wouldn’t translate to the next level because of his smaller stature. But Minter’s comments on Reed’s regular playmaking ability can put that concern to rest.
But playmaking alone won’t get Reed on this Chargers team; he must also be a good fit. Fortunately for him, he already is. As the above graph shows, Reed is a great tackler. And the Chargers emphasize tackling much more than any other AFC playoff contender.
To illustrate this point, the 2024 Chargers defense excelled at limiting yards after catch (YAC), ranking among the best in the AFC playoff teams. Their success rests heavily on strong tackling from the secondary.
Reed fits this mold perfectly. Known for his excellence in tackling and run defense at cornerback, Reed posted an exceptional 89.9 run defense grade in 2024 with a tackling grade of 82.6. This dual-threat ability to cover receivers effectively while being a great tackler him an ideal fit for Minter’s defense.
Reed’s transfer history in college should also not be overlooked. The young corner transferred from Colorado to Oregon and quickly improved his overall game. This speaks to his adaptability and continued growth, as evidenced by his rising PFF grades through college. Players that can transfer in college and get better often have the maturity to handle the much harder transition from college to the pros. And Reed has shown that as he continues to impress at camp. He keeps adapting and growing his game while making plays against higher-level competition.
While conventional scouting often dismisses players labeled undersized, Reed is disproving those stereotypes daily. As mentioned earlier, his NFL.com draft profile cites his height, length, and weight as below average. Yet, his intelligent play, aggressive tackling, and consistent ability to limit receivers after catch suggest size is no barrier to performance.
This phenomenon is not uncommon. History is scattered with undersized players who overcame physical limits through talent, high football IQ, and relentless effort. After all, games aren’t won or lost on the scale. Players playing good football win games and many undersized players have proven that with distinguished careers. Reed is quickly joining those ranks, earning high praise from coaches, teammates, and analysts.
With over ten practices in training camp complete, the Chargers’ coaching staff is increasingly confident Reed can hold his own and then some. His daily high-level effort in practice, ability to make “a play a day,” and the trust of defensive leaders like Minter could translate into meaningful snaps in preseason and regular season games.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the Saturday Morning Inspection YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
