LAC Derwin James
NFL player. Position: S. Team: LAC (Los Angeles Chargers).
Quick Facts
- Position: S (Safety/Nickelback)
- Team: LAC (Los Angeles Chargers)
2026 Outlook
Derwin James anchors the Los Angeles Chargers secondary as one of the league's best coverage pieces in the nickelback role. After extension talks "heated up" post-draft, the Chargers locked James in with a three-year, $75.6 million extension, signaling him as a cornerstone piece long-term. Under new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary, James helps enable the Chargers' defensive strength, allowing Los Angeles to recycle and boost their all-around coverage pieces across the secondary. The Chargers' defense ranked 7th overall heading into 2026 and has no major weakness across any position group. James' versatility and elite coverage ability in the nickel make him a cornerstone of this defensive unit and a critical factor in the Chargers' Super Bowl contention pathway (per Every Team's Most Important Contract Extension Ahead of 2026 NFL Season and Chargers need some major offseason strides from pair of third-year defenders).
Role / Depth Chart
Nickelback / Free safety in coverage-heavy schemes under Chris O'Leary's defensive system.
Injury Status
Healthy. No major injuries reported.
Recent News
- 2026-06-22 — AFC West in 2026: Case for/against the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders to win... (AFC West in 2026: Case for/against the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders to win...)
- 2026-06-21 — National outlet puts NFL fans on notice of young Chargers player who's set to break... (National outlet puts NFL fans on notice of young Chargers player who's set to break...)
- 2026-06-01 — 100 days to the 2026 NFL season: Predictions, injuries, more (100 days to the 2026 NFL season: Predictions, injuries, more)
- 2026-06-02 — Conor Orr’s 100 Bold Predictions for the 2026 NFL Season (Conor Orr’s 100 Bold Predictions for the 2026 NFL Season)
- 2026-06-20 — Every Team's Most Important Contract Extension Ahead of 2026 NFL Season (Every Team's Most Important Contract Extension Ahead of 2026 NFL Season)
- 2026-06-18 — Final NFL offseason moves for 32 teams: Trades, signings, more (Final NFL offseason moves for 32 teams: Trades, signings, more)
- 2026-06-11 — 2026 NFL contracts: Next to get a big deal at every position (2026 NFL contracts: Next to get a big deal at every position)
- 2026-02-23 — Full list of 2026 NFL coordinator grades: Evaluating every OC and DC hire this offseason (Full list of 2026 NFL coordinator grades: Evaluating every OC and DC hire this offseason)
- 2026-02-26 — 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Who Lands Micah Parsons 2.0? Giants, Chiefs Grab Top WRs (2026 NFL Mock Draft: Who Lands Micah Parsons 2.0? Giants, Chiefs Grab Top WRs)
- 2026-03-27 — AFC Coaching Changes: How the 9 New Defensive Coordinators Will Impact IDP Leagues for... (AFC Coaching Changes: How the 9 New Defensive Coordinators Will Impact IDP Leagues for...)