One breakout candidate for each NFL team in 2018

The Los Angeles Chargers got off to a terrible start in their first season in LA last year, losing their first four games under new head coach Anthony Lynn. However, Lynn went on the record to say they were going to turn things around, and they certainly did, as they nearly became only the second NFL team in history to lose their first four games and make the playoffs.

While the Chargers got their job done against the Oakland Raiders in Week 17, they could not get the help they needed from the other teams, and they ended up missing the playoffs. However, the enter the 2018 with very high expectations, as many believe they will be the team to win the AFC West division.

It is true that the Chargers have a bunch of talent all over the roster, but they have already lost two starters due to injury. The first came early in the offseason, as Hunter Henry was hurt during mandatory minicamp. The second came on the first day of training camp, as cornerback Jason Verrett suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

Staying with the defensive backfield, that is where their breakout player for the 2018 season will come from. The Chargers got an absolute steal when they were able to get safety Derwin James with the No. 17 overall pick in the first round, as he was seen by some scouts as the best overall defensive back in the entire draft class.

James did it all for Florida State, and even left school as their all-time leader in return yards. He is going to be that elite safety this team has not had since Eric Weddle, and he will make a serious impact on this team in year one.