The Los Angeles Chargers were considered a big winner during the draft after safety Derwin James dropped all the way to them at No. 17. James was among the highest-rated defensive players in the draft and for LA to get him in the middle of the first round was quite a steal.
The Chargers certainly sound pleased with how it all played out for them. Head coach Anthony Lynn has praised how the incoming rookie has responded to the challenging workload he’s been given during the team’s spring workouts.
“For the most part, he’s had an outstanding spring,” Lynn said per Eric D. Williams of ESPN. “We’ve put a lot on his plate. He’s taken more reps of any DB on the team right now, and I think in the situations we’ve put him in he’s handled very well.”
Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has been similarly impressed by James, particularly the great speed with which he plays.
“We’re trying to get him to see what he does well, what his skill set is like,” Bradley said. “What I love about him, even though he might be burdened mentally, it doesn’t slow his game speed down. He still plays fast.”
James is the latest addition to the Chargers’ suddenly formidable-looking secondary which also includes cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett as well as safeties Jahleel Addae and Adrian Phillips. That group could just be the most impressive part of a promising Chargers defense that also boasts the likes of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
Thanks to his promising spring, James will likely have a shot at earning the starting safety spot made vacant by Tre Boston’s departure. But even if he isn’t given that role just yet, James will most likely play a significant part on this defense even as a rookie given his immense potential as a playmaker.
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