5 Los Angeles Chargers who need to be great in 2020

4. S Derwin James

The Chargers were fifth in the league against the pass (200.3 yards per game) last year, and sixth in total defense (313 yards per game). But they were more mid-pack in scoring defense (21.6 points per game) and against the run (112.8 yards per game, 18th), as James missed 11 games due to a foot injury. They also came in just 28th in the league in sacks (30), and last in the league in takeaways with 14.

James made an instant and significant impact as a rookie in 2018, with 105 total tackles (four tackles for loss), three interceptions, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hits and 13 pass breakups. Pro Football Focus graded him out as their No. 7 safety that year, and he blitzed 52 times (5.1 percent of his snaps).

Simply put, James is a versatile weapon for Chargers’ defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and one of the best safeties in the league. Shades of Kam Chancellor, at the peak of the “Legion of Boom” in Seattle, are easy to see.

The Chargers have a very good defense, further bolstered by the addition of cornerback Chris Harris and defensive tackle Linval Joseph in free agency as well as the drafting of linebacker Kenneth Murray. But if there’s another level to be reached, as they truly become regarded as one of the NFL’s best defenses, James coming back healthy as an all-around force will be the most important piece of that push.