49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Safety Chanceller James
By Peter Panacy
After tearing his ACL in the preseason a year ago, San Francisco 49ers safety Chanceller James looks to make an impact in 2018. Let’s take a look in our latest “Who Is?’ installment.
Second-year San Francisco 49ers safety Chanceller James had a nice bit of hype last season after the Niners grabbed him as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft.
He had his share of moments during offseason workouts a year ago but unfortunately tore his ACL during San Francisco’s first preseason game. That sidelined him for all of 2017, although he’s been able to participate in individual drills again.
The former Boise State product had a productive, if not stellar, campaign over three years in college. His senior year stood out the most, where James registered 80 tackles and three interceptions:
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2014 | Boise State | MWC | SO | S | 8 | 25 | 11 | 36 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| *2015 | Boise State | MWC | JR | S | 12 | 32 | 22 | 54 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | ||
| *2016 | Boise State | MWC | SR | S | 12 | 49 | 31 | 80 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 3 | 29 | 9.7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career | Boise State | 106 | 64 | 170 | 10.5 | 2.0 | 4 | 29 | 7.3 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/4/2018.
That production certainly drew the 49ers in closer, especially when there were concerns about safety depth in 2017.
Heading into 2018, though, the Niners already have a relatively deep crop of defensive backs vying to make the 53-man roster. This will make James’ path to a roster spot more precarious, so what are the chances he makes the cut?
Why Chanceller James Improves in 2018
Outside of his college work and some of the 2017 camp reports, there’s not a lot on what James is expected to do.
James’ DraftAnalyst.com profile from last year indicates he’s a good safety in zone coverage, where he can face all the action in front of him. He appears to be a willing tackler, which his 49 solo takedowns in 2016 indicate. And there are signs his football IQ is well above average.
This is good for James’ fit in coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense, which focuses a lot of the Cover 3 defensive backs to operate in zone.
And while James’ 4.61 40-yard time at his pro day isn’t exactly impressive, being in the right spot can help negate the relative lack of speed.
Why He Regresses
The ACL injury from 2017 is a concern. Yet it’s even more worrisome, as James already had two ACL injuries back from college.
San Francisco 49ers
Being able to participate in individual drills is a good sign, but this is nowhere indicative of him being able to contribute at a full level anytime soon. Plus, as 49ers fans know all too well, ACL-injured players often are never the same after suffering this kind of injury.
James also struggles immensely in man coverage. And while San Francisco’s defense won’t call for a lot of that from its safeties, it’s going to be a knock against his chances to make the 53-man roster.
Chances of Making the 49ers’ 53-Man Roster
Interestingly enough, Niners Nation’s David Fucillo included James on his pre-OTA 53-man roster projection for 2018.
James is listed as the fourth safety on the depth chart, behind likely starters Jaquiski Tartt, Adrian Colbert and projected backup Marcell Harris, whom the Niners grabbed in this year’s NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, James has the physical makeup to play either position. But Harris projects more as a strong safety, meaning James would likely be Colbert’s primary backup.
Will it happen, though?
Next: Predicting the 49ers' future at safety in 2018
The Niners have some serious depth within the secondary, so the ultimate decision will hinge largely on James’ abilities to double on special teams and to provide some form of versatility. Right now, he’s likely on the bubble. But a strong showing in training camp and the preseason makes him a worthy candidate to stick around into September.