3 Most Overrated Chargers From the 2023-24 NFL Season
By Cem Yolbulan
3. Derwin James Jr.
James became the highest-paid safety in the NFL when the Bolts signed him to that massive four-year extension in 2022. He was supposed to be the star and the leader of the defensive backfield, but he was nothing remotely close to that last season.
The Chargers defense was an absolute mess, in no small part to James' underwhelming season. Los Angeles allowed the second-most passing yards in the league as the Pro Bowl safety failed to make any impact, allowing a 68.8% completion rate on targets.
Perhaps more concerningly, the Chargers were hesitant to play him. His snaps at safety were reduced significantly as he spent more time in different positions, playing slot defender most of the time.
Part of the defensive struggles can be attributed to coaching and poor play-calling. A team with Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Derwin James shouldn't have been this porous defensively. But blaming head coach Brandon Staley for it all is the easy way out. James has to be better as one of the highest-paid players on the team.
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