Chargers Take Derwin James, End Star's 2018 NFL Draft Slide; Twitter Loves Pick

The Los Angeles Chargers jumped at the opportunity to boost their secondary by selecting Florida State safety Derwin James, who surprisingly fell to the No. 17 pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

After the addition of James to Los Angeles' defense, the tweets poured in applauding the move:

"

How is Derwin James still on the board!

— Marshon Lattimore (@shonrp2) April 27, 2018"

James is one of the most versatile players in the class, capable of making an impact in a variety of ways. He finished last season with 84 tackles, 5.5 for loss, plus two interceptions.

He is as good as anyone in the class playing near the line of scrimmage, defending the run and rushing the passer. However, he also excels in coverage, even when asked to match up against quality receivers.

According to Pro Football Focus, he led all safeties in this class with just a 44.7 percent catch rate allowed last season.

"He's got one of those body types where you could play him at about seven different positions," an NFC scout told Chase Goodbread of NFL.com. "He looks most like a strong safety, but he's got the frame to put weight on and be a linebacker, he could be a huge corner. He looks kind of like what Patrick Peterson was coming out. Just a great-looking frame." 

At 6'2", 215 pounds, James has the size to stick with elite tight ends in coverage or take on blockers like a linebacker in the run game.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller listed him as the No. 2 safety in the class behind only Minkah Fitzpatrick, comparing the FSU star to Eric Berry.

The Chargers already have an impressive selection of cornerbacks with Casey Hayward, Jason Verrett and others, but they needed an upgrade at safety and found it in the first round.

After the defense finished last season ranked third in points allowed, James could help make this one of the best units in the NFL.