5 things for Los Angeles Chargers to be thankful for in 2018

Derwin James

Derwin James, the team’s first-round pick, has been fantastic. His stellar play has helped mask the fact that the Chargers have been missing their best defensive player, Joey Bosa, all season.

James has been so good that he might be a runaway winner of the league’s annual Defenisve Rookie of the Year Award. Just take a look at the list of some of the players who were drafted before James in the first round this year.

The Chargers were thrilled to get him at No. 17 and after season half of a season out of him, haveto feel they got he steal of the entire draft.

James was a beast in college at Florida State and many analysts listed him as the best defensive back in the entire draft before the selection process started. Still, there was two defensive backs (Denzel Ward and Minkah Fitzpatrick) drafted before him.

In nine games, James has registered 64 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception. He also has seven pass deflections. But its been the playmaking ability and the overall presence he’s brought to the defense that has been most beneficial.

Safety has been a position of weakness for the Chargers since Eric Weddle became a member of the Baltimore Ravens, so the addition of James couldn’t have come at a better time.

James has the ability to become one of the league’s best defensive players and he will pay dividends for the Chargers for many years to come. That’s definitely something to be thankful for.