Coming off an outstanding rookie season, the expectations were at an all-time high for Chargers safety Derwin James. Unfortunately, his campaign was put to a halt after he sustained a foot injury right before the season that kept him out for the majority of the year.
Even though the defense was still solid, his absence was evident. Upon returning to the action, his impact was felt immediately. James, the chess piece on the defensive side of the ball, made plays in coverage, against the run and as an additional blitzer.
In just five games, he posted 34 tackles, three tackles for loss and one pass deflected.
Now healthy heading into his third season, James will be looking to repeat the same type of success in Year 1 plus more. The former Florida State product will be a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, but Defensive Player of the Year is not out of reach.
NFL Media’s Adam Schein listed his bold predictions for the upcoming season and one of them included James earning the honors of being named the best defensive player in the league in 2020.
The league is loaded with talented defensive players, which include Rams’ Aaron Donald, 49ers’ Nick Bosa, Steelers’ T.J. Watt, Bills’ Tre’Davious White, Patriots’ Stephon Gilmore, among others. But only with two years under his belt, James has proven to be in that same tier.
“To me, James is already the best safety in the NFL. With a Swiss Army Knife skill set, he makes plays and wrecks games. And I envision him taking his game to a whole other level in Year 3,” Shein said.
The sky is the limit for the former Seminole.