Poor Derwin James

Let me just begin this by saying I am a huge Derwin James, anytime you can draft a 6'3 215 lb safety, who can run a 4.4 40 yard dash, put up 21 reps in the bench press, and a 40 inch vertical and 132 inch broad jump I'm a strong believer in taking that guy. When that player also comes with the resume that James did:186 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 3 ints, for 41 yards and a td, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries in 26 games, as well as 3 straight bowl game appearances, FWAA All American 2017, and 2x first team All ACC you draft him high and don't look back. However maybe the Chargers should have looked back...to his sophomore season in college in which he missed all but 2 games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. He ultimately was granted a medical redshirt and was given 1 more year of eligibility that he didn't use which may have been to his benefit. This injury turned out to be a precursor of what was to come. 

Derwin James went on to be selected by the Chargers 17th overall, a spot I thought was an absolute steal for this guy, and he quickly rewarded their confidence in him. James immediately laid claim to a starting role as a rookie and for good reason. During training camp he suffered a hamstring injury that held him back some but ultimately he still won the job. He racked up 98 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 13 passes defended, 3 ints for 30 yards. After this season he was named to the probowl, first team all pro, and PFWA All Rookie Team. While I mean absolutely no disrespect to Darius Leonard, James should have taken home defensive rookie of the year. Regardless it's been dark times for James since then. 

Prior to the 2019 season, he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot which required surgery and a recovery timeline of 3 months. He was placed on IR withthe intention of returning late in the year and was eventually activated on November 30th. He went on to start 5 games rack up 32 tackles, and 1 pass defended. Considering he just returned from surgery that's not a terrible stretch of games but it isn't vintage Derwin James. Heading into 2020 there was a lot of promise surrounding James and the Chargers defense but now that seems to have taken a stark turn for the worst. 

On August 31st 2020 Derwin James underwent the 3rd surgery on his knees or feet in 6 seasons in the college and NFL. However this time his time table for recovery is 6-8 months ending his season before it ever began. The exact injury James suffered? A torn meniscus in his left knee this time. I feel for the guy. 3 seasons into your career and you have played just 21 of a possible 48 games, with the tag of being often injured quickly being attached to his name. I really hope he can return to strength for the 2021 season, because if he can return fully healthy you can bet he wins comeback player of the year.