He made the Pro Bowl en route to leading the team in passes defended and tackles, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to reach 100 stops in a season.
He drew comparisons to all-pros and all-timers, doing so at age 22 and with two years of collegiate eligibility still unused.
Derwin James lit up the opposition in his first NFL season. And he lit up the Chargers as well.
“He brings a lot of energy,” coach Anthony Lynn said. “Not just on the football field. It’s also just walking down the hallways.