Washington Redskins: 5 First-round targets in 2018 NFL Draft
2. Derwin James, SS, Florida State
Most would consider Florida State defensive back Derwin James one of the most talented players in this draft. However, with so many quarterbacks expected to go inside of the top ten, good players are going to fall. That benefits a team like Washington. Elite talents like James, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Tremaine Edmunds are among those who will fall. The biggest question is how far they’ll fall?
James, at 6-2, 215 pounds, is an alpha who could play safety, linebacker or even line up in the slot at the next level. His athleticism is unparalleled and his best football is clearly ahead of him. After he burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2015, a knee injury cut his sophomore season short. James came back in 2017 and had an outstanding season.
The Redskins like James, too. The great thing about James is he doesn’t have a set position. That’s perfect in today’s NFL. The Redskins had envisioned this role with former draft pick Su’a Cravens. Cravens cringed at this role, and well, the rest is history. James is a much more athletic and talented player than Cravens.
Washington has good starting safeties in D.J. Swearinger and Montae Nicholson. Health is huge for Nicholson. He showed flashes of greatness last season but couldn’t stay on the field. Swearinger was good in his first season in D.C. and can play either safety spot. With James, the Redskins don’t have to rush him into the lineup at one specific position. He can learn both safety spots while also getting some snaps in as a nickel ‘backer.
Derwin James is special. He can do everything you need a safety to do on the field in today’s game. He has the same body language of another safety I scouted a long time ago who I hold in THE highest regard. #FSU #NFLDraft
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) April 3, 2018
ESPN’s Louis Riddick offered the highest praise for James, comparing him to Washington legend Sean Taylor. While James possesses the physicality, he doesn’t cover the ground Taylor did, but Riddick knew Taylor well as he worked in the team’s front office during Taylor’s career with the Redskins.