Derwin James is back where he belongs in the conversation among the NFL’s best safeties, and the latest vote of confidence came from inside the league itself. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler placed the Chargers defender at No. 2 in his annual rankings, a list built from the opinions of executives, coaches and scouts.
That’s a strong showing for any player. For James, it feels like a reminder of how high the bar has been for him since he entered the league in 2018. He has already rebuilt his standing over the past two seasons, and after another strong year with Los Angeles, he’s once again being measured against the very top of the position.
What makes James so hard to rank is the same thing that makes him so valuable on the field. He can play deep, work near the line, cover tight ends, blitz from the edge and shut down runs before they get going. The Chargers ask him to do a little bit of everything, and he keeps delivering no matter where he lines up.
That kind of versatility is rare, and it’s a big reason why he drew such strong support in Fowler’s report. Some voters even put James first among safeties, and nobody slotted him lower than fifth. That kind of spread says plenty about how respected he is around the league.
The only thing missing is the top spot.
If James wants to take back the title as the NFL’s best safety, he’ll need another season of the same kind of all-around impact he’s already shown. The Chargers believe he can do it. Under Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, there’s every reason to think his role will remain as expansive as ever in 2026.
Los Angeles also showed its own belief in him this offseason by giving James a contract extension. That move wasn’t just about what he’s already done. It was a clear bet that he’ll keep playing at an All-Pro level and remain the heartbeat of one of the league’s most talented defenses.
For the Chargers, James is more than a star. He’s the anchor, the tone-setter and the player who makes the whole operation go.
In Other News...
How Expensive The Chargers Core Just Became In Trade Talks
Every offseason trade exercise tends to make a roster look expensive in theory, but ESPNs Bill Barnwell went a step further with the Chargers, assigning real market value to some of the most important pieces of their core. Justin Herbert sits near the top of Barnwells quarterback tier, and the exercise underscores just how rare it would be for any team to even start a conversation on him. Around him, the Chargers young talent also stands out, with Joe Alt, Rashawn Slater, Tuli Tuipulotu and Akheem Mesidor all landing in the kind of valuation range that says the front office has built around players other teams would covet.
What makes the list interesting for Los Angeles is how many names hover just outside the top cutoff, including Omarion Hampton and Ladd McConkey, while Derwin James is still treated as an elite safety without crossing into the same trade tier. Barnwells rankings do not suggest the Chargers are shopping anyone, but they do show how much of this roster has become the sort of asset other teams would have to pay dearly to pry away. For a team trying to keep its competitive window open, that kind of depth is the real luxury, even if it also makes every hypothetical deal feel more complicated than it looks. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Draft What-If Just Took A Painful New Turn
A little more than a year after the draft, Colston Loveland has become one of the Bears most productive young pass catchers, but his latest podcast appearance offered a fresh reminder of how close his NFL path came to looking different. Loveland said he expected the Chargers to take him in 2025 after meeting only with Los Angeles during the pre-draft process, which makes the teams decision to go in another direction feel even more consequential in hindsight.
Instead, Chicago grabbed Loveland at No. 10 overall, and the Chargers answered at No. 22 by selecting Omarion Hampton. Hamptons rookie year was interrupted by injury, but he is still positioned to be the feature back in 2026, leaving the Chargers with a backfield plan that may finally get its real test next season. What makes the whole thing sting a little more for Los Angeles is how quickly Loveland has validated the buzz that surrounded him before the draft. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Suddenly Have A Young Back Caught In A Real Roster Squeeze
The Chargers backfield is getting crowded fast as they head toward the 2026 season, and that has put Kimani Vidal in an awkward spot. Omarion Hampton is expected to take on a larger role, and the addition of free agent Keaton Mitchell gives Los Angeles another dynamic option, leaving a third-year back who has already shown promise with less room to work.
Vidals previous production gave the Chargers a reason to believe in him, but depth-chart math can change quickly in the NFL. With Hampton moving up and Mitchell bringing a different skill set to the mix, Vidal could find himself fighting for a reduced workload unless the team finds a way to keep all of its backs involved. [Read more 🡒]