Derwin James Jr. is absolutely on another level, consistently proving why he's one of the best safeties in the entire league. This dude isn't just a quality starter, he's a game-wrecker, and his 2025 season stats show it: 94 tackles, 3 picks, 7 pass deflections, 2.0 sacks, and 6 tackles for loss in just 16 games. Seriously, how many safeties can put up those kinds of numbers across the board? It’s wild to think he missed all of 2020 with a knee injury, but since then, he's snagged four Pro Bowl nods and three second-team All-Pro selections. That's a consistency you just don't see often.
James Jr. Impacts Every Play, Everywhere
What makes James Jr. so special is his versatility. He impacts *every* phase of the game. PFF backed this up big time, crediting him with a measly 68.4 passer rating allowed when targeted. That's elite coverage right there! But he's not just a coverage guy; he also brought 13 pressures on just 71 pass rushes. That's a crazy effective blitz rate. Plus, he tied for 14th among safeties with 14 defensive stops against the run. Think about that: he's shutting down the pass, rushing the passer, and stuffing the run. This guy is a true stat-sheet stuffer, and the Chargers are lucky to have him.The Rest of the AFC West Safeties Are Playing Catch-Up
While James Jr. sits comfortably at the top, the rest of the AFC West has some solid talent trying to keep pace. Talanoa Hufanga, in his first season with the Broncos, earned a second-team All-Pro bid himself. The five-year veteran is a beast in the box and against the run, stacking up 18 stops at a 5.1 percent rate, which ranked tied for fifth and 10th among safeties per PFF. He hasn't had an interception since 2023, but he's making plays on the ball with 11 pass deflections and PFF crediting him with eight forced incompletions. Then there's Brandon Jones, also with the Broncos, who still puts in quality work. He gave up just 222 yards and a 75.3 passer rating in coverage last year, with his 56.3 completion percentage when targeted ranking fourth among safeties. His ball production dipped slightly, from 10 PDs to seven, and three picks to one, but he still hit a career-high 75.7 PFF run defense grade. Coming in at fourth in the division, we have Jeremy Chinn from the Raiders. His 2025 season saw him rack up 114 tackles, 0 interceptions, 2 pass deflections, 1.0 sack, and 3 tackles for loss in 15 games. Tackling is the root of Chinn’s game. As this ranking series wraps up the safety position for the AFC West, it's pretty clear who the undisputed top dog is. You have to wonder if anyone else in the division can step up next season to even challenge James Jr. for that top spot.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.