Derwin James was one of those players I kept a close eye on while he was playing in college. You would think his draft stock would’ve been affected after missing the entire 2016 season with a meniscus tear and cartilage damage in his knee. In 2018, the Los Angeles Chargers drafted him in the first round with the 18th pick in the NFL Draft that year. Derwin had an immediate impact on the Chargers defense his first season. On Wednesday, the Chargers made sure to reward their star safety with a new contract extension. A four-year, $76 million deal with $42 million guaranteed which now makes him the highest-paid safety in league history.
He’s one of the best pure safeties in the game today. What can’t he do? That’s the better question. He’s the swiss army knife of that Chargers defense. First, Derwin is a tackling machine. In his rookie season, he led the Chargers defense in tackles with 105. When I watch him, he’s always at or near the line of scrimmage looking to make the best possible play. Derwin is extremely athletic and uses that athleticism to his full advantage. In pass coverage, he can play both man and zone. He’s quick enough to run with tight ends. When that ball is thrown is his vicinity, Derwin is either knocking the ball down or he’s coming away with the interception. When it comes to tackling or pursuing the ballcarrier, he plays with the mentality of a linebacker. He’s so quick in the open field and the effort he shows to get to the ball wows me because he can be on one side of the field and will travel to make the tackle. Derwin can also rush the passer or if he can’t get to the quarterback, he gets those hands up to knock the ball down. When rushing the passer, he has the first step of an elite pass rusher. Derwin can cover guys in the flat, move sideline to sideline similarly to a linebacker and blitzes like a pass rusher.
I enjoy watching Derwin play the game. He was meant to play football and it shows. If I had to use three words to describe him, it would be fast, smart and physical. He’s become such an epicenter of this LA defense. He deserves every dollar of this contract extension. The Chargers defense is loaded now with Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, J.C. Jackson and Derwin James.
