Chargers overpay Derwin James making him the highest paid safety ever

Did you ever think that Derwin James would be the highest paid safety in the history of the NFL?

If you said no, I have to agree with you. The former Florida State safety inked a deal yesterday paying him an average of 19.13 million dollars a year making him the highest safety in NFL history.

A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the deal is for four years and worth $76.4 million. After practice reporters talked to James and he was pumped, and has 76.4 million reasons.

“I’m feeling amazing,” James said after practice, talking with reporters for the first time since reporting to training camp more than three weeks ago.

Derwin James spent two weeks worth of practices participating in walk throughs and roaming the sidelines but never played during negotiations.

IS HE WORTH IT?

The question is do you feel he is worth 19.13 million dollars? He has missed a lot of games due to injuries in his career. Derwin was drafted 17th overall by the Chargers in 2018. He had a dynamic rookie year, but since he has suffered numerous injuries. In 2019 though he played in only five games due to a foot injury. In 2020, he missed the entire year with a knee injury. Last year James played in 15 games and had a great season tied third in the NFL among defensive backs for 117 tackles.

In his career, James has racked up 257 tackles, with 5.5 sacks and five interceptions. That does not cry out highest paid safety in NFL history to me.

Jordan Poyer right now in Buffalo wants a new deal, and since 2018, has been a much more productive player. In that same time frame, Poyer has 317 tackles, 7 sacks and 11 interceptions. I am not trying to say Jordan Poyer is the best safety in the NFL either. There are much better players than both. What I am trying to say is how did they give him that much money?

If I am Jordan Poyer’s agent, I am demanding 20 million a year. If this is the new market for a safety, you could see a lot of safeties getting drafted in the near future!

Here is a list of the highest paid safeties. Not many are worth their contracts….

Who are the highest paid safeties in the NFL?

1. Derwin James, Chargers: $19.13 million ($76.4 million over 4 years)
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers: $18.24 million ($73.6 million over 4 years)
3. Jamal Adams, Seahawks: $17.5 million ($70 million over 4 years) 
4. Harrison Smith, Vikings: $16 million ($64 million over 4 years) 
5. Justin Simmons, Broncos: $15.2 million ($61 million over 4 years)
6. Budda Baker, Cardinals: $14.75 million (59 million over 4 years) 
7. Eddie Jackson, Bears: $14.6 million ($58.4 million over 4 years) 
8. Kevin Byard, Titans $14.1 million ($70.5 million over 5 years)
9. Marcus Williams, Ravens: $14 million ($70 million over 5 years) 
10. Quandre Diggs, Seahawks: $13 million ($39 million over 3 years)