2018 NFL Draft: Derwin James falls into Chargers’ lap
The Los Angeles Chargers were gifted one of the best defensive backs in the 2018 NFL Draft class when Derwin James fell to them at No. 17 overall.
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As teams traded up and down the board the Los Angeles Chargers stayed put. This team had a handful of needs, and could have considered taking a player like Lamar Jackson to be the understudy to Phillip Rivers. Had there not been anyone else they liked midway through the first round, that might have happen, instead the Chargers had premier player fall into their lap.
The No. 1 defensive back in the 2018 NFL Draft according to Pro Football Focus, Derwin James is a Los Angeles Charger. The Florida State product had an up and down 2017 season, but so did the rest of the Florida State Seminoles under the shadow of Jimbo Fisher’s looming departure.
James’ physical tools and tenacity can’t be taught. Like fellow first round defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, James can play at a variety of spots in the defensive backfield. The Chargers can put him into the box and let him wreak havoc on opposing blocking schemes. He’s excellent in coverage, but plays his best defense on the ball.
Most projections labeled James as a top 10 player. The run on quarterbacks and a few questionable picks in front of them allowed the Chargers to get themselves a blue chip prospect at no extra cost.
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Derwin James is going to be a fixture in the defensive backfield for years to come, and the Chargers can move him around to various positions depending on how the rest of their secondary rounds at after training camp. This was a smart pick, and the right pick for the Chargers.