The Los Angeles Chargers defense features some of the top names in the league. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are an incredible pass-rushing threat and Derwin James is consistently talked about among the best safeties in football.
It has the looks of being one of the best defenses in the league, so why isn't it? All of those players have underperformed in recent years but at least some NFL executives feel that at least one of those players — James — will be among the best at his position under the team's new coaching staff.
As reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, a recent survey of executives, coaches, and scouts helped formulate a top 10 at each position and when it comes to safety, there is still belief in James, who comes in at No. 7 on the list.
Derwin James still pick as a top 10 safety in the NFL
The ability of James has never been questioned. But the overall effectiveness of the Chargers' defense has been and that has brought his perceived value down. However, under the guidance of safeties coach Chris O'Leary, James should have a great chance to bring that value back up within the scheme of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.
James is the top safety on the team's depth chart and one of the overall leaders on the defensive side of the ball.
Derwin Time.@DerwinJames #BoltUp
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2021
📺: #LVvsLAC on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/8FTJfKj4Ze pic.twitter.com/fWb4URMq1e
James was ranked No. 2 overall in this same survey last year, so despite a career-high 125 tackles last season, the coaches and scouts who were surveyed here don't see James on the level they did one year ago.
One offensive assistant had the following quote in regard to James:
"He's probably best in the box. Still a really good player but he's not tops on the scouting report when you face them."
That could be the kind of bulletin board material that James needs to light a fire within and have his biggest season yet in 2024.
