Touchdown Wire broke down every single NFL draft of the past decade for all 32 teams in the league. Barry Werner picked the one player that it believes is that team’s best first-round selection from that time frame.
For the Chargers, it should come as no surprise. Werner slotted safety Derwin James as the team’s best draft selection in the past 10 years.
The 17th overall pick out of Florida State in 2018, Derwin James edges Joey Bosa. In his first season, James made the Pro Bowl, no easy feat for a DB.
In his first season as a professional, James was used as defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s chess piece where he did it all on the field, whether it was erasing tight ends, defending the run or getting after the quarterback. The former Seminole amassed 105 tackles (75 solo), three interceptions, 3.5 sacks, 13 passes defended, and two tackles for loss.
For his efforts, James earned First-Team All-Pro safety, Second-Team All-Pro defensive back, a Pro Bowl appearance, and runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year behind Colts linebacker Darius Leonard.
There’s no doubt that general manager Tom Telesco looks back on the 2018 NFL draft and still questions how James fell all the way to No. 17 overall after being touted as a top-5 prospect coming out of Florida State University. The best is still yet to come for the 22-year old safety.
