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AFC West: Top rookies in the division through week two

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 16: Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers sacks Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at New Era Field on September 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 16: Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers sacks Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at New Era Field on September 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers

Derwin James (1st round)

The Chargers stole Derwin James in the middle of the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. James was considered to be one of the best overall defensive players in the draft and his status as a mid-round pick does not reflect just how good of a prospect he is.

Through two games, other NFL teams have to be kicking themselves seeing what kind of a weapon James has been already for a stacked Chargers defense.

He has been all over the field — literally — on 115 snaps racking up eight total pressures on the quarterback, including his first two NFL sacks.

He’s also been extremely solid playing the run, at and around the line of scrimmage, racking up four tackles for no gain or a loss.

He did allow a touchdown in coverage, but has two pass breakups and has, overall, looked phenomenal.

Kyzir White (4th round)

The Chargers are playing the versatile White in the box quite a bit throughout the first couple weeks of the season, and he showed out with a phenomenal game in week two against the Buffalo Bills.

Not only did he pick off his first NFL pass (off of first-round QB Josh Allen) but he allowed an NFL QB rating of just 2.8 on passes thrown into his coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.

Justin Jones (3rd round)

Behind James and White, Justin Jones is getting the most play among Chargers rookie defenders. He has yet to make an impact on a similar level of the other two guys, but the Chargers are working him in with Corey Liuget suspended.

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