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FSU Football Alums: Derwin James in perfect spot with Chargers says expert

By Jason Parker

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Derwin James of FSU poses after being picked #17 overall by the Los Angeles Chargers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Derwin James of FSU poses after being picked #17 overall by the Los Angeles Chargers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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FSU football saw another top player go in the first round last week – and while it may have been later than expected, some experts love DJ3 in L.A.

As the first round of last week’s NFL Draft began, many FSU football fans were expecting it wouldn’t take long before hearing Derwin James being selected by a team for the start of his pro career. As the round reached the halfway mark, many were shocked that James still hadn’t been selected by any of the first 16 teams on the clock.

Lucky number 17 was the ticket for the former star safety for the Seminoles when the Los Angeles Chargers took the All-American defensive stud, a move that has many people saying the AFC’s team in the City of Angels got the steal of the opening round.

When teams that needed a strong defensive back like James (looking at you, Tampa Bay and Miami) passed on the FSU football star, the Chargers came in and made a move that the experts say was a perfect fit – with NFL Network expert Daniel Jeremiah ranking it the second best in the entire first round.

"I’ve referred to James as a faster version of Kam Chancellor. I’ve also compared him to Keanu Neal. Both players have thrived in the Pete Carroll/Gus Bradley/Dan Quinn defensive system. James will plug in right away and deliver impact plays for the Chargers’ defense under Bradley."

You have to think the Los Angeles, and I say this with all seriousness, just made themselves a playoff team with someone who is going to contribute right away to a secondary that was a decent reason the Chargers were 9-7 last season and just missed making the playoffs in their first season in the new city.

Next: FSU Football winners and losers from 2018 NFL Draft

James is just the next great FSU football defensive back who is going to do big things in the NFL. It’s almost going to be comical when the other teams that passed on him – especially the ones that needed someone at his position – realize the error of their ways in the very near future.

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