In this series, I’m going to be choosing my five favorite Chargers on the current roster. Coming in at No. 5 is…
I love this roster. I really, really do.
I believe it’s the most talented roster the Chargers have had in a long time. It’s one that can compete with the very best in the NFL. I have no problem saying that, despite not making the playoffs since 2013, this team has the sort of championship feel to it. Kudos to general manager Tom Telesco for building his squad and finding the right coaches to help lead and maximize players’ potential.
So without further ado, I’d like to tell you my five favorite players on this roster, beginning with No. 5. And his name is: DERWIN JAMES.
OoOoO didn’t see that coming, did ya?
Yes, I went with a rookie. Ballsy? Maybe. It’s hard to say a guy is a favorite when he hasn’t even seen the field.
But that isn’t going to stop me from listing him as one of my favorites. I love this kid. I, like almost every other Chargers fan, was ecstatic when James fell to the Bolts at No. 17 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. I was such a huge fan of the former Florida State Seminole and what he can bring to the table. His talent, versatility and need at the safety position were the reasons why I wanted the Chargers to target him, I just never thought he’d fall that far down.
James stands out because he can do everything. The athletic, big-bodied safety already made his presence felt at minicamp. He’s going to put this defense, one that has been gaining more and more steam after last season’s solid performance, over the top.
"We have a certain swag about us."
Rookie safety @DerwinJames says the @Chargers are going into 2018 with a chip on their shoulder ⬇️
?: @NFLTotalAccess https://t.co/EU697uoyvf
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) June 19, 2018
Just listen to him talk. He is the definition of swag. He’s a leader who is going to fit perfectly in Gus Bradley’s scheme. Check out this inside story on drafting James by Chargers.com’s Ricky Henne. Again, I haven’t been that excited for a first-round selection, and you know James has a chip on his shoulder after not going in the top 15. If he stays healthy, my expectation is that he can be NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
But if it weren’t for 16 other teams making a mistake, we wouldn’t have had James and I wouldn’t be writing this. So a big shout out to those teams that passed on him.