Both 5th-round pick Oronde Gadsden II and UDFA Raheim Sanders were both tabbed as “sleepers” by anonymous college football coaches ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Back on April 14, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg published an article where he spoke with a number of anonymous college football coaches to get their opinions on players in the draft class they believe could be “sleepers” when it’s all said and done.
Of the 29 players highlighted, the Chargers ended up drafting or signing two of the players. They were tight end Oronde Gadsden II, whom they selected in the fifth round, and undrafted free agent running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders.
Oronde Gadsden II
The Chargers traded back into the fifth round in order to land Gadsden who was essentially the last tight end in that Tier 1.5-2 range before the talent really fell off of a cliff. He’s a 6’5 seam-stretcher who ran his 40 in 4.59 seconds during Syracuse’s pro day. He possesses a massive catch radius and posted two seasons of 900+ receiving yards (2022, 2024) while with the Orange.
“I thought he was a really talented guy,” an ACC coach said. “Would be a good addition.”
Gadsden will now help round out a room that features incumbent starter Will Dissly and free-agent signing Tyler Conklin. Dissly will be the team’s primary run blocker, Conklin is expected to be a short to intermediate possession target, and Gadsden’s initial role will likely involve being flexed into the slot as a vertical and red zone threat.
Knowing how Greg Roman used the Ravens’ tight ends during his tenure there, you’ll likely see plenty of all three at times throughout the 2025 season. I expect this group to be Justin Herbert’s best friend in the year to come.
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders
Despite being viewed as a fifth or sixth-round pick by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein ahead of the draft, Sanders went undrafted despite being a 3,000-yard rusher in the SEC by the end of his collegiate career. He ended up landing with the Chargers and, despite them having just taken Omarion Hampton in the first round, it may be one of the best places he could have asked to sign.
The Chargers are going to run the heck out of the ball. Hassan Haskins is likely going to be the team’s third back thanks to his special teams value but Sanders could truly push second-year back Kimaini Vidal for a spot either as the team’s fourth running back or on their practice squad.
“I still felt like he was still nursing the injury a touch from Arkansas,” an SEC defensive coordinator said, “but down the stretch he was killing it when they started rolling a little bit more on offense and he was playing well.”
Sanders posted an elite relative athletic score (RAS) after running a 4.47 in the 40 at 6’0 and 217 pounds. The kid has some juice and I believe his one-cut style of running will aid him in the Chargers offense.
If he makes the team, he likely won’t see any time on the field unless injuries occur ahead of him. Regardless, he’s an excellent stash for a team with the identity the Chargers are attempting to cement.