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NFL Draft 2018: Five best picks of the first round

By Rucker Haringey

TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive End Bradley Chubb
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive End Bradley Chubb /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – NOVEMBER 18: Safety Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles before the game against the Delaware State Hornets at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 18, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Delaware State 77 to 6. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – NOVEMBER 18: Safety Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles before the game against the Delaware State Hornets at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 18, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Delaware State 77 to 6. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

4. Derwin James — Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers probably didn’t enter the draft with any sort of grand design to take Derwin James. However, the franchise’s front office deserves a lot of credit for taking advantage of the way the picks ahead of them fell.

Derwin James is a top-10 talent. The fact that the Chargers were able to scoop him up at No. 17 represents outstanding value. Teams that make their selections based on their overall rating as opposed to team need will consistently have better drafts than teams who reach to fill holes.

James does have mild injury concerns after missing the entire 2016 with a foot injury, but he bounced back in a big way last season. He is the rare defensive back who can excel playing in the box against the run or out in space against the pass. The Chargers need a player like that stand up against the creative offenses they’ll face in their own division.

The most exciting thing about James is his incredible reputation for being a leader in the locker room. The Chargers have offensive leadership in the form of Phillip Rivers, but their defense could really use a galvanizing player. The Chargers managed to select a player who can lead their defense for the next decade with the 17th selection. That’s excellent work no matter how you slice it.