Top Ten Individual Defensive Performances of 2017: #5 Desmond King v. DAL Wk. 12

#5.) Desmond King – 5 tackles, interception, touchdown, pass defended

Do you guys remember when the Chargers somehow snagged a former Jim Thorpe Award winner in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft?

King’s fall down draft boards still befuddles many to this day. I mean ,could you imagine a defensive back that was just a year removed from leading the nation in interceptions and being named college football’s best defensive back falling that low?

No. Nope. Never.

After Telesco made it known he was selecting the former Hawkeye, he quickly became the most interesting draft prospect for the Chargers that year whose name wasn’t Forrest Lamp. Fans wondered where he was going to play, especially with the recent singing of Jahleel Addae to a new contract and the addition of Tre Boston in free agency.

It didn’t take long for the coaching staff to realize that King’s skillset was best utilized in the slot where he could maximize his aggressive style of play against opponents’ running backs and tight ends. Once King earned a sizable share of reps just several games into the season, it was evident he could become one of the stickiest tacklers on the team.

In what turned out to be a pretty-lopsided Thanksgiving Day victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, King made good on a lofty promise he made on twitter before he was even drafted.

Against a reeling Cowboys offense, King undercut an ill-advised pass to Cole Beasley from Dak Prescott and strode out the length of the field. Behind an animated Melvin Ingram leading the way, the rookie faced zero opposition on his way to the end zone.

The interception by King was the most delicious cherry on top of a victory that was just oh-so sweet as the Bolts not only found a way to embarrass America’s team, but they were also able to do it in the “house that Jerry built.”