Pro Football Football has been unveiling their early rankings of the top 50 players for the 2020 regular season. The people at PFF have revealed players ranked 11 through 50, and among the crop, three Chargers found themselves on the list.
Defensive end Joey Bosa finished as the No. 47 ranked player, cornerback Casey Hayward ranked at No. 39 and safety Derwin James checked in at No. 31 overall.
In 2019, Bosa earned his second trip to the Pro Bowl after finishing tied for second in the AFC in sacks (11.5) while also tallying up the fifth-most tackles (67) of any defensive end in the NFL.
Entering the final year of his contract, Bosa will likely end up as one of the highest-paid defensive ends next offseason for his efforts. If not, earlier than that.
Hayward piled together 32 tackles, eight passes defended and two interceptions over the course of 16 games last season. The 30-year old has been a key presence in the secondary, earning the highest coverage grade (93.1) among cornerbacks the past five seasons.
James was looking to have a stellar sophomore season, but those plans were hampered after suffering an injury which kept him out for 11 games. Upon returning, he wreaked havoc, posting 34 tackles, three tackles for loss and one pass deflected.
James, the Swiss Army Knife, has established himself as one of the league’s best safeties. He is a prime candidate not only for Comeback Player of the Year, but Defensive Player of the Year.