The Chargers have done an excellent job of bringing in superior talent through the draft, along with developing players into studs in a short period of time.
Pro Football Focus released its annual list of the top 25 NFL players under age 25, and Los Angeles was represented by safety Derwin James.
We only really have one season to go off with James as he missed most of 2019 with injury, but he did exactly what we expected him to do in that 2018 rookie season coming out of Florida State. Like Jamal Adams, James is a versatile defender who can produce high-quality play in all phases of the game, as evidenced by his 80.0-plus grades in run defense, coverage and as a blitzer as a rookie. He did much of the same upon his return to the field in 2019 (82.5 overall grade), and it’s hard to see him not playing at that same level next season.
To this day, many still find it hard to believe that James fell to Los Angeles’ laps in the middle of the first round of the 2018 draft after being touted as a top-5 prospect.
Listed as the top safety from that draft, James has lived up to his expectations and much more in just two seasons. The do-it-all defender has thrived as a safety, slot corner, linebacker, and even as a pass rusher off the edge.
James played in the Pro Bowl and was voted first-team All-Pro in 2018. And while he didn’t see the field much in 2019 due to a foot injury sustained prior to the season, his impact was felt upon returning to the starting lineup.
In 21 games played and started, James has posted 139 tackles (98 solo), 14 passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions.