Last year, the Chargers drafted Derwin James, who went on to earn a few accolades, including a trip to the Pro Bowl. To complement James, Los Angeles drafted former Delaware free safety Nasir Adderley in the second round.
The team was highly praised after their selection of Adderley given the fact that he was a commonly mocked player to the Bolts in the first round. To see him slip to No. 60 overall was viewed as a huge steal to most.
NFL Media’s Chad Reuter was on the same boat as others who liked the pick. Reuter came out with his early All-Rookie Team for 2019, and Adderley was pegged among other rookies at their given position who he thinks will excel in their first season as a professional.
Here is what Reuter had to say about slotting him to the team.
Adderley might not start right away for the Chargers, but I won’t be surprised if he steps right in and wins the job opposite Derwin James. He possesses the skills to line up in coverage as well as stick his nose in against the run in a nickel capacity.
A four-year starter at Delaware, Adderley led the Blue Hens with 87 tackles, four interceptions, seven passes defensed. He also returned five kickoffs for 149 yards and a touchdown.
Adderley should thrive as a centerfielder, where he can use his range, instincts, ball skills and athleticism, while James can play closer to the line of scrimmage. But the former Delaware product also has some man coverage abilities to line up with tight ends and receivers, if needed.
This will give defensive coordinator Gus Bradley a lot of flexibility to be creative and with that, it makes it much harder for offenses to exploit these type of mismatches. These two players could end up being one of the best young safety duos in the league.
