If it’s the offseason, it’s draft season.
The NFL Draft is on the way, set to commence toward the end of this month. There, we’ll get a chance to see some of the nation’s most electric prospects find homes in the NFL, after countless mock drafts and projections.
One player who has been mocked to the Washington Redskins a decent amount, due to the increased possibility of a quarterback run in the top five, which will push back other elite prospects, is Derwin James. A Florida State alum, Derwin James is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the draft.
Now, maybe you don’t want James. Maybe you’re head over heels for Vita Vea (I’m not), or maybe you love the idea of taking Derrius Guice at No. 13, in order to spark the running game. Whatever the case, disregarding any viable option at No. 13 is unwise. Derwin James is a tantalizing talent who is very much worth a look if he slips. Before you make judgement and decide who you want, make sure you know what you might get from someone else.
Derwin James is a player with innumerable qualities that deem him a special player. But why should the Washington Redskins consider drafting James with the No. 13 pick? In the next few slides, we’ll look to answer that question, and more.
What Derwin James does well
Derwin James’ size jumps off the page immediately. At 6-foot-3, 212, James is incredibly long for his position, and as he showcased at the NFL Combine, and countless times on tape, James is incredibly fast for his size. He logged an official 4.47 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, and he registered 21 bench reps as well. James also managed a full 11 feet on his broad jump, which speaks to his otherworldly athletic ability.
James, with his speed, strength, and athleticism, can be a versatile chess piece for the Washington Redskins, if they choose to take him. Derwin James’ listed position on many sites may be safety, but don’t seclude him in that one category. James is more than a deep safety. James can line up in the box. He can man the slot. He even lined up at linebacker on occasion. His combination of size and athleticism allows for this to happen, and he has the physicality to do this effectively as well. His stat line reflects this multipurpose role well; Over his time with the Seminoles, he accrued 186 total tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Both Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James scream versatility. Don't look at them as safeties or slot cornerbacks. They're defensive backs, and they can help us in a multitude of ways.
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) April 3, 2018
James’ size and athleticism also translates to upside at the next level. As we’ll go through in the next slide, James isn’t a perfect prospect, even if his measurables suggest that he is. However, because he is so naturally gifted, his potential at the next level, should he reach it, is simply out of this world. And there are no character concerns with James that might contribute to a letdown. He was the leader of the Florida State defense, both in the locker room and on the field. Leadership is a quality that Minkah Fitzpatrick often gets praised for, but make no mistake: James has him matched there.
Derwin James is a football tracking freak. His combination of size, speed, and natural talent is unmatched by all. There’s just one player that he might resemble: Former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. While no one can match up with the G.O.A.T., Derwin James possesses the traits to make a similar kind of impact. There are just a few things he needs to work on.
Where Derwin James can improve
Derwin James is a prospect with far more positives to list down than his negatives. That is why he’s viewed by many as a top ten player in the 2018 NFL Draft. Were he to fall to the Washington Redskins, his selection would undoubtedly be a positive. But his areas of need are worth mentioning, despite all that.
James, as I said in a previous slide, is not yet refined. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a more pro-ready prospect, and this could be important for a team like the Washington Redskins, who are in a position to throw all their chips onto the table with Alex Smith in the fold.
Nevertheless, James would provide an impact on day one no matter what. But while Minkah Fitzpatrick has three full years of solid production at the college level, James has been more inconsistent. James also suffered a minor ACL tear in 2016, and while the injury wasn’t as serious as its reputation suggests, it is important to keep in mind.
Report: Da'Ron Payne to host pre-Draft visit with the Washington Redskins
James’ greatest task at the next level, as well as the greatest task for the defensive backs coach who will train him, will be to elevate his game, and synthesize his athleticism so that he can use it in the most efficient way. James, for all his upside, was a bit inconsistent in coverage at Florida State, and there is clearly room for growth as a football player. His instincts can let him down at times, and he isn’t as quick to get an on-field diagnosis as Minkah Fitzpatrick is.
As an athlete and a list of dimensions on a depth chart, Derwin James strikes fear into his opponent. And while his physical nature might uphold the same effect, there is still some work to do.
The Washington Redskins should draft Derwin James if they value upside over immediate returns.
The Washington Redskins’ championship window is fleeting, but by signing a high-upside talent in Derwin James, they can increase the duration of that window, little by little. If the choice comes down to Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James at No. 13, it’s hard not to turn down James’ prospective upside.
It’s also worth noting that this NFL Draft class is very deep at defensive line and running back. So, to maximize value, the Washington Redskins could take James, a surefire game changer at the next level, in Round 1, and they could still find future starters at the other two positions in later rounds.
This isn’t to say that Minkah Fitzpatrick won’t live up to James’ standards in the NFL. Fitzpatrick is widely viewed as a player with a floor as a perennial Pro Bowler, and a ceiling as a perennial All-Pro. But Derwin James, with his size and physical talents as an athlete, can achieve all those accolades in little time, with some development. And he could provide a greater, more dynamic impact on the field.
Of course, this is like comparing a Mercedes to a Maserati. One is going to be a little more smooth, and a little more refined. And the other is going to get a bit less gas mileage. But they are both cars you wouldn’t mind having one bit. The difference between James and Fitzpatrick is slim, and with how subjective opinions are in draft season, that difference can be considered within the margin for error.
Next: Washington Redskins early April seven-round mock draft
James and Fitzpatrick are both players with All-Pro ceilings in the NFL, but because of his size, his speed, his dynamic ability, and his potential, matched by only a few before his time, Derwin James might be the better prospect by a hair, for a Washington Redskins team looking for that spark plug in the secondary.