2018 NFL Redraft: Lamar Jackson saves the Cleveland Browns
By Samuel Teets
6. Indianapolis Colts: Derwin James, S (Quenton Nelson, G)
Indianapolis drafted two First-Team All-Pros in 2018, and each of the team’s first three draft picks from the class appear in this article. However, with Leonard and Nelson gone, the Colts pounce on one of the few available All-Pros. James initially fell to the Los Angeles Chargers at 17th overall, but he doesn’t get out of the top ten selections in the redraft.
As a rookie, James started all 16 games for the Chargers. He intercepted three passes, defensed 13 more, recorded 3.5 sacks, and registered 105 tackles. For his efforts, the Florida State product earned a First-Team All-Pro selection as a safety alongside Chicago’s Eddie Jackson. The Associated Press also selected James as a Second-Team All-Pro as a defensive back.
Unfortunately, James missed most of last season as he recovered from a stress fracture in his right foot. He’s primed for a run at the Comeback Player of the Year award this season.
Selecting James makes a lot of sense for the Colts. Besides getting the most talented safety in the entire league, Indy can fill their void at safety. The team recently declined Malik Hooker’s fifth-year option, meaning the Colts needs a new future star in the secondary. James wouldn’t start over Hooker either. Instead, he’d replace Clayton Geathers as a starter and magnify Hooker’s unfulfilled potential.