Derwin James is officially in the fold. The newcomer first-round selection is now an employee of the Los Angeles Chargers.

According to a source close with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the organization and James agreed to the rookie deal of four-years and $12.39 million with a signing bonus of $7.1 million.

“The #Chargers signed first-round safety Derwin James to a 4-year, $12.39M contract, source said, which includes $7.1M signing bonus.”

James, 21, is the Bolts 17th overall selection in this offseason's NFL Draft. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, he's a versatile safety who the Chargers hope will be that matchup defeater every top NFL defense requires in today's high-flying football league.

In three years at Florida State, James played like the best safety in the nation. He tallied a total of 186 tackles, three interceptions, 5.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed and a touchdown. He also played everywhere in the secondary and, at times, on the second-level of the Seminoles defense.

In L.A., he'll be the team's strong safety playing alongside Adrian Phillips. Furthermore, with Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward s the corners, this Chargers defensive back group is ready to go this August.

When the defense plays the industry-standard single-high safety, James will be that box rover ready to shut down the rushing attack and take out tight ends and running backs while Phillips plays centerfield. That's a recipe for defensive success moving forward.

In today's league, there's no way a defense grows elite unless that single-high safety features a strong safety who can literally do it all.