Derwin James was one of the nation's top defensive players

the past three seasons at Florida State. He is quickly establishing the same reputation in his rookie season in the NFL.The Chargers safety leads Los Angeles in tackles (30) and sacks (3.0) going into Sunday's game against Oakland. James http://www.sandiegochargersteamonline.com/kyzir-white-jersey , who was the 17th overall pick in this year's draft, is also the first defensive back since the Jets' Kerry Rhodes in 2006 to have three or more sacks and an interception in the first four games of a season."I feel like I'm right where I need to be at," James said. "I'm doing good in coverage but there are other small things that I can still get fixed."James was considered one of the most versatile defensive players in college because of his coverage skills and ability to rush the quarterback. Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is putting those skills to good use.The 6-foot-2, 215-pound James leads NFL rookie defensive backs in sacks, passes defensed (six) and quarterback pressures (seven). James has mostly lined up at free safety, but he has also played at slot corner and linebacker.James played mostly safety in Week 1 against the Chiefs and two weeks later against the Rams. In the other two games, against the Bills and 49ers, whose offenses aren't as dynamic, he was used at linebacker and safety.Another factor in James' strong start has been his confidence. He admitted he didn't feel that at times as he was still working his way back from an injury to his left knee that occurred in Florida State's second game in 2016 and kept him out the rest of that season."I was 100 percent once I came back but the flow and speed of the game is faster," he said. "You may feel 100 percent but then it was getting over the fact in my mind that the knee was fine and not babying it."Where Bradley lines up James this week will be one of the more interesting matchups. The Raiders are second in the league in total offense, averaging 441.8 yards per game, and fourth in passing (333 yards per game).Oakland, which got its first win last Sunday against Cleveland in overtime, has had a 100-yard receiver in each game this season and is one of only three teams to do that. The Chargers are 2-2 after beating San Francisco last week.Raiders coach Jon Gruden said they scouted James extensively before the draft, but after drafting a safety in high rounds in 2016 and '17, it was difficult to justify taking another one.During a conference call Wednesday, Gruden compared James to Rodney Harrison and Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott."He's an intimidating player," Gruden said. "He has the physical presence, the range to play deep, coverage ability and he can run through you, around you and over you. He's good in any generation. He can play in high top cleats and leather helmets."Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has also lauded James for having the demeanor of a player who has been in the league for a long time."I know what type of player I am. I didn't get to show it a lot in college a lot because coaches would scheme and not come my way. I know what I can do http://www.sandiegochargersteamonline.com/melvin-gordon-jersey ," James said.Notes: Coach Anthony Lynn said left tackle Russell Okung is likely to be a game-time decision after he strained his groin during the first half of Sunday's game against San Francisco. If Okung is unable to play, Sam Tevi will move to left tackle and Trent Scott will be at right tackle. ... Lynn said the decision to release punter Drew Kaser and sign Donnie Jones had to do with chemistry issues on extra points and field goals, where Kaser was the holder for kicker Caleb Sturgis, who has missed three extra points. "Drew is an outstanding punter. It was a hard cut, but you look at the big picture. Just wanting to change the whole direction right there with the holder and the kicker and make an extra point."Follow Joe Reedy at joereedyTop 5 2019 Draft Prospects from California Schools The state of California is home to a handful of universities that always seem to have one or two teams each year in the national spotlight. This past year, Stanford running back Bryce Love was the Heisman runner-up. Two of the top three quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft also hailed from the west coast in Sam Darnold (USC) and Josh Rosen (UCLA).There is always a plethora of talent in the Chargers’ backyard, something we’ve seen the team take advantage of recently with the selection of former-Trojan Uchenna Nwosu in this year’s second round.Below I’ve listed my top-5 NFL Draft prospect from the state of California in order to give you all some names to jot down prior to the 2018 college football season.RB Bryce Love - Stanford- 5’10 196 poundsJohn Hefti-USA TODAY SportsLove found himself joining the “Stanford-Heisman Runner-Up Club” with notable alumni Andrew Luck, Christian McCafferey, and Toby Gerhart. However, without a lower-body injury towards the end of the season, Love may have ran away with the award over Baker Mayfield.Love finished second in the nation with 2,118 rushing yards and 162.9 yards per game. His 19 rushing touchdowns were fifth-best while his 8.05 ypc were fourth best among FBS backs.A unanimous All-American, Love also took home the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s top running back and was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year.After the 2018 season comes and goes, the more important question will not be what round Love goes in but will the prolific running back choose football over his dream of being a doctor?OG Nate Herbig - Stanford - 6’4 350 poundsSergio Estrada-USA TODAY SportsI affectionately refer to Herbig as “The Hawaiian Hogmolly” because he is one HUGE piggy. At a svelte 350 pounds, Herbig is a load to move and an absolute pain in the rear end to try and get past.Herbig saw significant playing time as a true freshman in Palo Alto. He suited up in all 13 games while earning six starts at the left guard position, en route to being named an ESPN Freshman All-American. As a sophomore, he solidified his starting job and started all 13 games. He was unsurprisingly selected to the All-Pac-12 First Team.Heading into 2018, the Hawaii-native is a Preseason First-Team All-American by Phil Steele and will play an integral part in Bryce Love’s campaign for the Heisman Trophy.TE Kaden Smith - Stanford - 6’5 253 poundsJohn Hefti-USA TODAY SportsSmith is a former 4-star recruit from Marcus (Texas) that was rated the second-best tight end in the country by ESPN. After taking a redshirt year in 2016, Smith was an efficient option in the passing game as he had to split reps with Dalton Shultz, who is now a member of the Dallas Cowboys.In 14 games this past year, Smith hauled in 23 catches for 414 yards and five touchdowns. With the departure of Shultz http://www.sandiegochargersteamonline.com/joey-bosa-jersey , Smith is expected to take a prominent role in the passing game as he looks to establish himself as the next great Cardinal tight end. Expectations will be high as Smith was recently named a Preseason Third-Team All-American by Athlon Sports.OLB Porter Gustin - USC - 6’5 255 poundsMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsAfter leading the Trojans in tackles during the 2016 season, Gustin’s junior season was cut short after four games following a toe injury suffered in the second game of the season. In those four games, Gustin was still able to collect 16 tackles and three sacks before he needed to shut things down.When healthy, Gustin is the top pass-rusher on USC’s roster and one of the best in the entire Pac-12. As a former five-star recruit out of high school, expect Gustin to wreak havoc as one of the most “freaky” athletes in college football.LB Cameron Smith - USC - 6’2 250 poundsMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsSmith is the prototypical linebacker that all NFL teams should covet in the present day.Not just seen as a tackling machine, Smith makes plays all over the field in every possible aspect.In 9 starts as a true freshman, Smith stuffed the stat sheet as he collected 78 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, six passes defended, and three interceptions (one for a touchdown). As a sophomore, Smith upped his overall game as he increased his total tackles to 83 to go along with 7 tackles-for-loss, another sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and four passes defended. He was named a Second-Team All-Pac-12 selection for his efforts.In 2017, Smith kept the production arrow pointing up as he totaled 112 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, and four passes defended en route to being named a Third-Team All-American.