{"id":37673,"date":"2018-02-08T09:00:27","date_gmt":"2018-02-08T14:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=37673"},"modified":"2021-05-30T15:44:47","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T19:44:47","slug":"derwin-james-2018-nfl-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/02\/08\/derwin-james-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Derwin James 2018 NFL Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/strong>
\nPosition<\/strong>: Safety
\nHeight<\/strong>: 6’2″
\nWeight<\/strong>: 213 pounds
\nSchool<\/strong>: Florida State Seminoles<\/p>\n

Combine Performance Data
\n40-yard dash<\/strong>: 4.47 seconds
\nBench press<\/strong>: 21 reps (tied for fourth among defensive backs)
\nVertical jump<\/strong>: 40 inches
\nBroad jump<\/strong>: 11 feet (tied for fifth best at 2018 NFL Combine)<\/p>\n

Derwin James 2018 NFL Draft Profile<\/strong><\/h1>\n

There’s an ever-increasing tendency for safeties at the next level to exude versatility in order to combat the varied looks NFL offenses bring nowadays. They must be aggressive downhill in run support while also able to lock down opposing pass-catchers in both man and zone coverage. The more wide-ranging a given prospect’s skill set is, the greater chance they have of making an immediate impact in the pros. And Derwin James<\/a><\/strong> is as good as it gets in that regard when it comes to this year’s draft class.<\/p>\n

James certainly lived up to all the hype in college. He came to Tallahassee as the top safety prospect in the nation and fifth among all players according to Rivals. There wasn’t much competition for his services though as he committed to the Seminoles in February 2012, three years before he was due to arrive on campus. He didn’t waste time making an impact once he got there. James earned Freshman All-American honors after leading all ACC freshmen with 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. His sack total actually led all defensive backs in the conference that year.<\/p>\n

Though his sophomore season was cut short due to a meniscus injury, James came back with a vengeance a year later. That’s particularly true of his impact as a playmaker in pass defense. He intercepted two passes, taking one back all the way for a touchdown and added 11 pass breakups. The latter total put him in a tie for seventh in the ACC. James ended up making AP All-American second team and All-ACC First Team. He later declared for the draft on December 5 and decided to skip Florida State’s bowl game.<\/p>\n

Strengths<\/h2>\n