Derwin James

[Charged4Life]

How is it possible that 16 teams passed on him?

Really!

[Steve]

The track record for 1st round S is pretty poor. Add in that many defenses can get by with marginal players at S, they prefer to prioritize other positions. In a different scheme, James would probably not have had as big an impact. He would still have been very good, but the impact sitting back waiting for plays to come to him is just not going to make a him an impact player. We got him into a position where he was always around the ball, and he is the kind of player who took advantage of the chances he got.

Bradley's D really does run best if you have a Cam Chancellor or Derwin James at SS. Many other defenses just sit the S back and ask them to play the deep middle of the field. It's not like that isn't important, but it doesn't give the S opportunities to be around the ball that much.

[Topcat]

Baldy breakdown.....

https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nfl/...r1rlbe7fy04543

Great analysis...yep...I'll bet a few teams are kicking themselves for passing on Derwin...

[Bolt-O]

Of course, they would never admit passing on an All-Pro player. That's the problem when you draft for need. In Derwin's case, there was no conceivable reason why an area scout would rank him down, except maybe hubris on the scouts and the GM.

[wu-dai clan]

Of course, they would never admit passing on an All-Pro player. That's the problem when you draft for need. In Derwin's case, there was no conceivable reason why an area scout would rank him down, except maybe hubris on the scouts and the GM.

What really stands out is FSU neighbor Tampa Bay drafting Vita Vea.



We play modern defensive football.

[blueman]

I thought James was coming off an injury heading into the draft?

[like54ninjas]

I thought James was coming off an injury heading into the draft?

Knee injury his sophomore year but a healthy junior season after his breakout freshman season. He was PFF's top rated safety both those seasons.

[jubei]

the more I watch this kid the more man-crush I have on him. He's the best safety we've had in my memory. Rodney was good as a SS and enforcer but no so good in coverage. I'm sure at least half of those 16 teams are kickin themselves for going PON instead of BPA.

[dmac_bolt]

the more I watch this kid the more man-crush I have on him. He's the best safety we've had in my memory. Rodney was good as a SS and enforcer but no so good in coverage. I'm sure at least half of those 16 teams are kickin themselves for going PON instead of BPA.

No offense to Rodney as he overachieved with his limited skill set and he did get to play in an era when enforcers could enforce. but he's not in the same zip code as Sir James. Derwin is better at everything Rodney ever did or thought of doing.

[Shock&Awe]

How is it possible that 16 teams passed on him?

Teams drafting for need over BPA. So happy they did, our secondary is anchored for the next decade.

[Heatmiser]

How is it possible that 16 teams passed on him?

Serious injury in the past and the NFL seems to devalue safeties now, like they devalue RB. Really pretty stupid because James can play anywhere on the defense.

TG

[Formula 21]

How is it possible that 16 teams passed on him?

Because taking Best Player Available is a myth. Teams take BPA at a position of need.