Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh called safety Derwin James the best safety he has ever seen in NFL history.
Harbaugh praised James for his versatility, comparing him to a ‘five tool, six tool secondary player.’
James led the Chargers defense with seven tackles and two pass deflections in a 20-9 win over the Raiders.
LAS VEGAS – There have been a lot of great safeties in NFL history: Ronnie Lott, Ed Reed, Ken Houston and Emlen Tunnell are four safeties atop many all-time lists. But the best safety Jim Harbaugh’s ever seen is the one he coaches.
Harbaugh gave Chargers safety Derwin James huge praise following the team’s 20-9 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I’ve called him the best safety I’ve ever seen in the history of the National Football League. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb,” Harbaugh said of James. “He is one of the most incredible players I’ve ever watched.”
Winners, losers from Chargers’ Monday night win over the Raiders include nasty defense
Harbaugh then dropped a soliloquy when USA TODAY Sports asked him what makes James the best safety he’s ever seen.
“It’s like being around greatness every day, whether it’s the practice environment, the training environment, the meeting environment, the way he is on the sideline and most of the way he is and during the game. He’s incredible,” Harbaugh explained. “When he tackles he gets him down, he can cover (and) he can play any position in the in the secondary. I guess what jumps out the most is he can play nickel, he can play dime backer, he could play corner, he could play in the deep half, he can play in the deep middle (and) he can blitz. You have to compare him to Willie Mays at that point. He’s a five tool, six tool secondary player. It’s incredible what he can do.”
Harbaugh continued: ‘He does it all. It’s like Superman when he puts on the armor, when he puts on that suit and wears that number three. He’s donning the cap. He’s a Superman out there.”
Harbaugh’s effusive praise of James came after a superb outing for James and the defense.
James, the two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, led the way for the Chargers defense despite losing veteran leader Khalil Mack in the first quarter due to an elbow injury. The Chargers had an astounding 15 pass deflections, three interceptions and bottled up Geno Smith and the Raiders offense.
James registered seven tackles and two pass deflections in performance where he was all over the field. One of his pass breakups resulted in an interception in the end zone by cornerback Donte Jackson.
“Everybody made plays on the ball. We (were) running to the ball and made plays on the ball,” James said postgame. “That’s contagious, and that’s a sign of a good defense.”
Los Angeles’ defensive unit kept the Raiders out of the end zone and stopped Smith from completing a single pass over 10 yards. According to Next Gen Stats, Smith did not complete any of his 12 pass attempts over 10 yards downfield. He’s the only quarterback since 2016 to attempt at least 10 downfield passes in a game without a completion.
Smith finished 24-of-43 passing for 180 yards and tossed three interceptions in a forgettable night for the quarterback and the offense. The Las Vegas crowd even voiced its displeasure for the Raiders offense on multiple occasions in the second half. The boos were most prevalent when the Raiders settled for a field goal at the conclusion of a 19-play drive to cut their deficit to 20-9 with 11:15 remaining in the fourth quarter. It turned out to be the final points of the game.
“The defense stopping them from getting points and getting turnovers in the red zone, absolutely outstanding,” Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen told USA TODAY Sports. “Even when they held them to three and we’re scoring touchdowns. It’s gonna be hard for us to lose that way.”
Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley compiled a game-high 10 tackles, he had one interception and two pass deflections despite being questionable prior to the game due to an illness. Henley and James were the best players on the field on Monday night.
It was James, the Chargers do-it all safety who lines up at multiple positions throughout the game, that shined brightest on Monday night. Harbaugh believes James is the best safety he’s ever seen. It might be hyperbole. But the 2-0 Chargers are atop the AFC West. Both their victories came against divisional opponents, so let Harbaugh do all the talking he wants.
“Started 2-0 in the division. You only play six (division games),” James said. “To be 2-0 is a great start.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.