Los Angele Chargers: ACC targets can improve team in 2018 NFL Draft

Round 1: Derwin James, S, Florida State

This should be the pick no matter what happens with Tre Boston in free agency (he needs to be retained). The Chargers have some major talent up front with All-Pro Joey Bosa and “Mr. Everything” Melvin Ingram, whose productivity matches their supreme athletic ability.

Unfortunately, they don’t have that same type of talent on the back end. Florida State’s 6-3, 215-pound safety Derwin James is the ideal pick for the Charges at the 17th pick because of versatility. In fact, according to NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, James projects very well as either a linebacker or in the box strong safety: 

"He excels covering backs and tight ends and is a dynamic blitzer…. When he’s aligned in the box, he is quick to key/read against the run; he explodes to and through ball carriers. His lateral range is outstanding and he makes a lot of plays from the back side… watch him run down Lamar Jackson in the Louisville contest. Overall, I see James as a box safety or weak-side linebacker at the next level."

While James played primarily safety at FSU, he did line up at nickelback and outside linebacker on occasions, which plays into why he’s viewed as such an X-factor on defense. There’s no doubt that under Gus Bradley he’ll either play a role similar to former FSU star turned Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith, or something similar to Seahawks Cam Chancellor — both of whom Bradley coached.

Like the two previously mentioned hybrids, James posses the same type of range, athleticism, and coverage ability to be a star in Bradley’s defense. Whether he plays strong safety or linebacker the Chargers could end up with yet another defensive player of the year rookie candidate.