Teams sign several undrafted free agents (UDFAs) each year. They’re a very low-cost, no-risk signing, so it only makes sense to fill out the bottom of the 90-man roster with scratch-offs. This year, Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz signed 18 UDFAs, but each and every one was viewed as an extreme longshot to snag a roster spot, as is the case each year.
However, sometimes there’s an athlete who manages to stick out from the crowd, and the Chargers may already have their star pupil.
Recently, The Athletic’s Chargers insider Daniel Popper highlighted tight end Stevo Klotz as someone who’s already made a strong impression on the coaching staff. It’s early, and players have yet to put the pads on yet, but Klotz is on the right track, possibly even to snag a roster spot, or at the very least carve out a key role on the practice squad.
“Keep an eye out for undrafted rookie tight end Stevo Klotz. He caught five passes in Tuesday’s team drills. There might not be a spot for him on the 53-man roster, but he feels like a lock for the practice squad, with the potential to make an impact as an elevation player during the season. Klotz is a solid blocker, which should show up when the pads come on next month. And he should also be a factor in special teams. Klotz was working on his long-snapping in the early stages of Tuesday’s practice.”
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper on Stevo Klotz
Klotz, a Chaska, Minnesota native, is built well at 6-foot-4, 247 pounds. While he wasn’t targeted often across his four years at Iowa State, he still managed to earn two Second-Team All-Big 12 nominations, largely thanks to his blocking skills.
If those traits translate when the pads come on, it’s not hard to see how coach Jim Harbaugh could fall in love with his new tight end project. It might even be enough for Klotz to have an active role on game day. Yet, he has a long road ahead of him, as there are currently eight tight ends on the Chargers’ roster, including fifth-round rookie Oronde Gadsden.
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