Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James is the perfect modern-day safety

The NFL has seen some very good defensive backs enter the league recently but Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers may be the best.

Some very good young defensive backs come into the NFL recently with players like Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward, Marshon Latimore, Tre’Davious White and Marlon Humphrey. Meanwhile, players who were drafted this year could be very good, such as Greedy Williams and Deandre Baker. Out of all of them, though, Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James might be the best fit for the new modern NFL.

The modern NFL has changed the way positions are played. Safeties — quality ones, at least — used to be required to be good in zone coverage and occasionally come down and blitz and help out in support. But now, the NFL requires its safety to be more than that.

Many things have changed about the league, from rule changes that benefit offenses more to NFL offensive weapons getting bigger and quicker to offenses getting more advanced and creative. With all these changes, players now must be able to cover in both man coverage and zone coverage, stop the run and be able to rush the quarterback. In this new NFL, versatility is king

James brings so many different things and abilities to the table. Safeties are usually good in deep coverage but not the best in man coverage because they might lack size or vice versa. However, James is different then most safeties as he’s seemingly quite good in every facet.

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Every week that the Chargers play, it seems that Derwin James is playing a new role for the defense. When playing a deep safety role, James is a nightmare for offensive coordinators, quarterbacks and receivers alike.

James has some of the best football instincts and vision among safeties. On top of that, he is one of the most athletic players in the NFL with a sub 4.5-second 40-yard dash time to his credit. He can fly across the field and cover ground in such a short period of time. In man coverage, James can stick to wide receivers and tight ends alike due to his speed, great leaping ability and physicality.

The Chargers second-year man isn’t only one of the best safeties in coverage but he is also outstanding as a pass-rusher and run-stopper. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will often use James near the line or have him blitz from the safety position. When James blitzes, he doesn’t just have incredible natural instincts but his lateral quickness, agility and straight-line speed make him a nightmare for offenses.

James is also a great pass-rusher to go along with his other great skills. James isn’t necessarily a big strong safety in terms of size but he is such a quick and agile player. When he is used on the edge or used in disguised blitzes, his physical gifts make it hard on offensive linemen not only to block him but also hard to identify him quick enough in disguised blitzes.

James is the NFL’s perfect modern safety and defensive back. His extreme versatility and the fact that he’s still on his rookie contract makes him one of the league’s most valuable players. The entire NFL should be on notice as James is only 23 years old. He already plays at an elite level but could become the league’s best in no time at all.