Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James deserves Defensive ROTY

There are some notable names in the running for the Defensive Rookie of the Year this season. However, Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James deserves the nod.

The Los Angeles Chargers entered the 2018 NFL Draft with three big possibilities in the first round.

The Chargers could have either drafted a defensive tackle, a middle linebacker or a quarterback to sit behind Philip Rivers and eventually take over the franchise.

The Chargers did not go any of those routes and instead went with the gift that just fell into their lap. Safety Derwin James was selected with the 17th overall pick in the draft, 10 or so picks later than most people had expected.

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At the time of the selection, everyone knew that the Chargers got a steal of a draft pick and got someone that would fit into this ball-hawking secondary perfectly. In retrospect, that pick was even better than we all thought it was going to be.

James has not only been great for the Chargers this season, but he has also been the best defensive player on the entire team. His versatility to line up at the line of scrimmage or deep in coverage makes him a threat in all levels of the defense and his production shows that.

James leads the entire defense with 81 combined tackles, which is also the 31st most in the NFL and is the seventh among NFL rookies. It does not stop there, as James also has three and a half sacks, 12 pass deflections and three interceptions. All-Pro free safety Harrison Smith is the only other player with at least three sacks and three interceptions.

When you watch James it is extremely noticeable how advanced he is compared to the rest of his rookie peers and how he is going to carve himself out a great and lengthy NFL career. That is a compliment of the highest regard as well as James has some tough rookie competition.

The four other names that instantly come to mind as being in the running are Leighton Vander Esch, Bradley Chubb, Justin Reid and Darius Leonard. All four of those guys have put together pretty impressive seasons, but none show the same versatility and impact that James has.

Vander Esch has had a big impact on the Cowboys in Sean Lee‘s absence but has not done enough out of the ordinary to warrant winning the award.

Chubb came into the year as one of the favorites to win the award with his pass-rushing prowess and his partnership alongside Von Miller. Chubb has succeeded in putting together a good season, as he has ten sacks through 12 games played, but lacks that playoff narrative and has not really been a game-breaker like James has been.

Reid has three interceptions like James and has a pick-six to his name and 128 total interception yards. However, he does not have the sacks that James has, does not have as many tackles and simply has not been on the same level as James, although he is doing solid.

James’ biggest competition is Darius Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts. Leonard leads the league with 123 combined tackles and six sacks, an interception and has forced four fumbles.

I will admit, his stat line is more impressive than James’ and when it is all said and done, he might have a bigger impact in terms of numbers.

However, it is evident watching when watching the Los Angeles Chargers that James has a massive impact on this defense even when he is not directly involved in the action. Mix that, with the Chargers being a playoff team and the Colts likely not being a playoff team, and the media is naturally going to favor James.

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This is a really, really good defensive rookie class and any of these guys would have probably won the award over Marshon Lattimore last season. However, this year, Derwin James should follow in Joey Bosa‘s footsteps and become the second member of the Los Angeles Chargers to win the award in the last three years.

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