Derwin James

Derwin James Bio

Derwin Alonzo James Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. Born on August 3, 1996, he played college football for the Florida State Seminoles before entering the NFL. Selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, James has become one of the most recognized defensive backs in the league. He has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors across his career.

Early Life and Background

Derwin Alonzo James Jr. was born on August 3, 1996, in Haines City, Florida. He grew up in central Florida and attended Auburndale High School in Auburndale before transferring to Haines City High School in his hometown. As a high school recruit, James was rated by Rivals.com as a five-star prospect and ranked as the best safety and fifth overall player in his class.

His performance in high school drew national attention, and he committed to Florida State University to play college football after being offered a scholarship following his freshman year. James came from a family with strong football ties, including cousins who played major college football.

Path to American Football

James entered Florida State in 2015 as a true freshman and quickly worked his way from backup to starter. During his freshman season, he played in 12 games and recorded 91 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, signaling his arrival as a playmaker.

Before his sophomore year, he was ranked among the top underclassmen in college football by NFL analyst Lance Zierlein. A knee injury in 2016 limited his sophomore season to just two games, but he received a medical redshirt and returned strong in 2017, finishing with 84 tackles, two interceptions, 11 passes defended, and a sack. Following that redshirt sophomore season, James decided to forgo his remaining eligibility and declare for the 2018 NFL Draft.

Derwin James Career

Early Career (2018)

The Los Angeles Chargers selected Derwin Alonzo James Jr. in the first round, 17th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the second safety drafted that year, behind Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Alabama Crimson Tide. On June 1, 2018, James signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $12.38 million rookie contract that included a $7.09 million signing bonus.

Head coach Anthony Lynn named James the starting strong safety to begin the regular season. He made his professional debut on September 9, 2018, against the Kansas City Chiefs, recording three combined tackles, two pass breakups, and his first career sack on quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He went on to start all 16 games as a rookie and finished with 105 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, 13 pass deflections, and three interceptions.

Los Angeles Chargers Breakthrough (2018–2021)

James earned First-team All-Pro honors and was named to the Pro Bowl following his rookie season in 2018, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier defensive backs. He was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and ranked 31st by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

Injuries interrupted his next two seasons. A stress fracture in his right foot in 2019 limited him to five games, and a torn meniscus in 2020 forced him onto season-ending injured reserve. He returned healthy in 2021 under new head coach Brandon Staley and was named the starting strong safety alongside Nasir Adderley. James produced 118 combined tackles, two interceptions, two sacks, and three forced fumbles in 14 games, earning his second Pro Bowl selection and finishing the year ranked 43rd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.

Chargers Franchise Tag Era (2022–Present)

On August 17, 2022, the Los Angeles Chargers signed James to a four-year, $76.53 million contract extension that included $42 million in guarantees and a $20.53 million signing bonus. The deal made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time. In 2022, he recorded 115 combined tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 14 games and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November.

James continued as a defensive cornerstone in 2023 and 2024 under coordinator Jesse Minter, starting all 16 games in both seasons. In 2024, he posted 93 combined tackles, 5.5 sacks, seven pass deflections, and one interception and was again named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December. Through the 2025 season, his career totals include 684 tackles, 19 sacks, 12 interceptions, 46 pass deflections, six forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

Driving Style and Strengths

Derwin Alonzo James Jr. is known for his rare combination of size, range, and physicality at the safety position. He excels in run support, closes on the ball in a flash, and uses his length and explosiveness to make one-on-one tackles in space. Coaches have praised his leadership in the secondary and his ability to align across multiple roles in defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s scheme.

Notable Events and Milestones

Signature moments include his first career sack on Patrick Mahomes in his 2018 debut and a game-sealing interception off Kirk Cousins at the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. James was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 3 of the 2025 season and has been selected to five Pro Bowls, including appearances in 2018, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025.

Derwin James Career Wins

Derwin Alonzo James Jr. has built a résumé defined by individual recognition rather than team championships. Across his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers, he has been selected to five Pro Bowls, earned First-team All-Pro honors in 2018 and 2021, and added Second-team All-Pro selections in 2022, 2024, and 2025.

Chargers Highlights

James was named First-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2018 after recording 105 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions. He returned to the All-Pro First Team in 2021 with 118 combined tackles and added Second-team All-Pro nods in 2022 and 2024. His most recent recognition came in 2025, when he earned Second-team All-Pro honors and his fifth career Pro Bowl selection.

Other Wins and Performances

At the college level, James was a First-team All-American in 2017 and a two-time First-team All-ACC selection in 2016 and 2017. He was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2018 and has earned multiple AFC Defensive Player of the Month and Week honors during his NFL career.

Derwin James Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Derwin Alonzo James Jr. comes from a family with deep roots in Florida football. He is a cousin of former Florida State players Vince Williams and Karlos Williams, as well as former Miami Hurricanes running back Mike James. He is also the second cousin of Edgerrin James, a former Miami Hurricanes star and NFL Pro Bowl running back.

Personal Life

James is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He is active on social media and maintains a public presence through his official accounts. Beyond his football commitments and family ties, he is widely recognized as one of the defensive cornerstones of the Los Angeles Chargers franchise.

2025 Season Performance

In the 2025 NFL season, Derwin Alonzo James Jr. remained a focal point of the Los Angeles Chargers defense under head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. In Week 3, he recorded 12 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a sack in a 23-20 win over the Denver Broncos, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

James was named to his fifth Pro Bowl and earned Second-team All-Pro recognition for the 2025 season. Pro Football Focus graded him at 81.2 overall, ranking eighth among 98 qualified safeties. His veteran leadership continued to anchor a Chargers secondary built around his versatility and physicality.

Looking ahead, James signed a three-year, $75.6 million contract extension on May 26, 2026, which once again made him the highest-paid safety in the league. With the Chargers building around him on the back end of their defense, he is positioned to remain a central figure in the team’s playoff push.