Chargers safety Derwin James has emerged as an early Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate with his play in Los Angeles. James played 43 snaps at free safety in the season opener against the Chiefs. However, in week 2 against the Bills, James played more at the line of scrimmage, consistently making plays in the backfield as a blitzer. James filled up the stat sheet. He led the Chargers in tackles with eight. James also added his second sack of the season, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hit and a pass breakup. “We practiced it all week,” (week 2) James said about the Chargers moving him around defensively. “I was everywhere. I played a couple reps at free safety. I played a couple reps at strong safety, I played a couple reps at linebacker. I was just everywhere.” He’s definitely a beast,” said safety Adrian Phillips, when asked how much L.A.’s defense missed Bosa. “That’s my guy right there, but when he’s gone, other guys have to step up. “So when Chris Landrum and Isaac [Rochell] get in there- and we’ve still got Melvin [Ingram] in there, you can’t forget about that – we just went into a mindset that we’re an attacking defense. And that’s what we’re going to do: attack.”
Bosa has been out since the first week of August, so the Chargers have had to learn how to generate pressure without the Ohio State product. While they struggled to do that against the Chiefs, the Bolts now seem to have a more creative strategy to get to the quarterback. Playing multiple positions along the defense is exactly what James did at Florida State. Last year, for example, he played 292 snaps at free safety, 260 snaps in the box, 188 snaps at slot corner and 69 snaps on the line of scrimmage as an edge defender. That kind of versatility is especially valuable in today’s game as offenses look to exploit linebackers and safeties in coverage more and more. James is certainly not a weakness in coverage, and he plays well as both a run defender and a pass-rusher, which allows a team to move him all over the field. Since the Bills game, James has simply been on fire! The Chargers are being rewarded for utilizing James’ ability to play multiple positions, as well, as he has played 103 snaps at free safety, 80 snaps in the box, 28 snaps as an edge defender and 36 snaps in the slot. Throughout all those positions, the rookie safety has been very impressive in coverage thus far, having been targeted 13 times and allowing just six receptions for 34 yards. To add to that, Derwin has been making plays on the ball when it is thrown his way. Three of those 13 targets against James have either been intercepted or broken up by him.
Another, more unconventional area where James has excelled is rushing the passer. In just 22 pass-rush snaps, he has totaled nine pressures – four hurries, two hits and three sacks. As a safety, he ranks second on the Chargers in total pressures through four games. That sort of pass-rush production isn’t a fluke, either. James showcased his ability to get after the passer with the Seminoles in 2017, and last season his 10 pressures in just 38 pass-rush snaps were good for a pass-rush productivity of 14.5 which ranked fifth among qualifying FBS safeties.
With all that ability to get after the passer combined with the playmaking ability he has shown in coverage, James is a spark on defense that can ignite and create a big play on any given snap. Add in his proficiency in run support, and the Chargers have one of the best young defensive weapons in the NFL on their hands. James’ play over the first quarter of the season makes it clear, the Chargers got one of the best football players in this draft with the 17th overall selection. Yes it is still early, but can you say definitely consider James as possible NFL Defensive Rookie of the year.
At the quarter mark of the season, the rookie out of Florida State leads the Chargers in tackles, plus he has three sacks, a tackle for loss, six passes defensed and an interception.
Derwin James is everywhere on tape, its crazy. Lines up everywhere and finds a way to impact the play. Want to find him? Find the ball: pic.twitter.com/DxvGOOneFH
— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) October 3, 2018
Top graded rookie safeties 2018:
Derwin James (Chargers) 87.9
Jessie Bates (Bengals) 74.3
Jordan Whitehead (Bucs) 64.0
Justin Reid (Texans) 62.4
Terell Edmunds (Steelers) 53.4
D.J.Reed Jr. (40ers) 52.2
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