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Derwin James, S, Florida State: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Shawn Spencer

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts in the first half against the Mississippi Rebels during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts in the first half against the Mississippi Rebels during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Derwin James, a 2015 five-star recruit, has started 10 of 15 career games for Florida State.

Derwin James primarily lines up as the free safety in the Seminoles 4-3 defense. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, playing in all 13 games and starting the final eight. The safety was voted to the Freshman All-American team after recording 91 tackles, 4.5 sacks and five pass breakups in 2015.

James started the first two games of the 2016 season before a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee forced him to miss the rest of the year. He was granted a medical redshirt and will be a redshirt sophomore in 2017. James was named to numerous watch lists in the preseason, including the Maxwell Award, given to the best all-around player in college football. He possesses perfect size and length on a well-built frame with outstanding athletic ability.

Measurables

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 211 lbs.

Games Watched

2016: Ole Miss

2015: Clemson, Florida, Houston, NC State

Strengths

From zone coverage, Derwin James diagnoses plays quickly as he reads and reacts to the quarterback in the backfield. He remains aggressive and shuts down receivers coming across his zone. Once the ball is thrown, James utilizes very good athletic ability to explode toward the play. He tracks the ball well through the air and displays elite range to cover ground between and beyond the numbers.

As the lone deep safety in the play below, James begins the play in the middle of the field. Off the snap, he reads Clemson QB Deshaun Watson who does him a favor by staring down his intended receiver. James reacts quickly and can reach the point of attack just before the ball arrives.

As seen in the play above, James demonstrates good closing speed and possesses solid ball skills to make a play and break up the pass.

Florida State lined up James on the line of scrimmage and utilized him as an edge rusher several times per game. He’s a good blitzer who displays a variety of moves off the edge. On the following play against Florida, James runs through the right tackle on his way to the quarterback. While the QB was able to escape the pocket before James could finish the play, defensive coordinators in the NFL have to be salivating at the chance to work with a safety of his caliber.

Versus the run, James displays very good play speed as he’s able to avoid blocks and get to the ball quickly from a deep zone. Against Ole Miss, his only game against an FBS opponent in 2016, James showcased his ability to stop the run.

On this play, James begins the play nine yards off the line of scrimmage. He shows solid mental processing skills as he attacks the play as soon as the tight end to the left pulls to the right of the formation. He utilizes a very good plant and drive as he explodes toward the line of scrimmage and avoids the block attempt by TE Evan Engram, the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. James keeps his balance just long enough to bring down QB Chad Kelly with one arm after a one-yard gain.

In the open field, James is a very physical and reliable tackler who wraps up and doesn’t allow the ball carrier to escape. Jacoby Brissett learned that the hard way when he ran a quarterback draw up the middle. James is spying the QB on the play and meets Brissett five yards downfield. The safety has to avoid the umpire and body slams the Wolfpack QB to the ground.

James demonstrates good competitive toughness as he forgets a bad play and bounces back quickly.

Weaknesses

Derwin James can be fooled by play action and double moves as a result of adequate instincts. On this trick play from the Peach Bowl, Houston runs a reverse with the wide receiver throwing the ball downfield. As the lone deep safety, James jumps on the reverse and leaves the middle of the field wide open. The receiver to the right runs a post route into the space vacated by James for an easy touchdown.

In man coverage, James struggles to mirror the routes of quick, agile slot receivers. Against Antonio Callaway of Florida, who could also be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, James was unable to keep up with him. As the inside receiver with trips to the left, Callaway beats James inside and then outside on this route, giving his QB a large window in which to place the football. Despite being wide open, the Florida QB is unable to connect with the slot receiver.

When James is in position to make a play, marginal hands hamper his ability to intercept the pass. As seen in the play below, James does everything right except catch the football. He undercuts the receiver’s route and is in perfect position to force a turnover. He high points the ball and gets his hands up, but the pass bounces right off his fingertips and falls incomplete. James has only one interception in his college career and has allowed a few opportunities to add to that total slip away.

Against the run, James takes aggressive angles to the ball and can be caught out of position as he overpursues the ball carrier. The impact of this is felt the most when James is responsible for setting the edge. He doesn’t force the ball carrier inside, opening up the outside when James is unable to make the stop.

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Overall

Overall, Derwin James is an elite prospect and immediate starter in the NFL who wins with play speed and strength. He’s not someone who currently possesses the coverage skills to match up against quick, agile receivers in the slot. While he primarily plays free safety for Florida State, James possesses the skill set to line up at either safety spot at the next level.

James is best suited for the strong safety position in the NFL and would excel in a Cover 0 or Cover 1 defense where he can be aggressive around the line of scrimmage. With only one season of college football experience, James should take another step forward in his development in 2017. He’s the top safety available in the 2018 NFL Draft and is a virtual lock to be a top-10 selection if he can stay healthy. A combination of Kam Chancellor and Steve Atwater, James has an extremely bright future ahead of him.

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