Due to their performances in 2018, Derwin James (S), Desmond King (DB) and Adrian Phillips (Special Teamer) were all named to the Associated Press' All-Pro team. This marks the first season the Chargers have at least three AP First-Team selections since 2007.
Additionally, King and James earned AP Second-Team All-Pro honors for punt returner and defensive back, respectively, marking the first time in franchise history that any Charger was an AP first-team and second-team selection at separate positions.
"They've been real consistent," Chargers Head Coach Anthony Lynn said of the three players' play this season. "I think when you get voted to an All-Pro list (by) people who understand this game and recognize this game, that's an honor. It's flattering. But it doesn't surprise me. They've been consistent all year and they've played well."
James helped make history on the list as he is one of four rookies (an AP-high) to make the first team. He also is the first Bolts rookie to be selected to an AP first team. James finished the 2018 regular season leading the Chargers with 15 passes defensed and 109 total tackles. It was the first 100-plus tackle season by a rookie in Chargers history. He also had three sacks and tied his All-Pro Chargers teammate Desmond King with three picks.
In his second season, King showed tremendous growth on both defense and special teams, and his AP honors prove it. On defense, he notched 60 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three picks, 13 passes defensed, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. He had a critical pick-six in the 25-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Additionally, on special teams, he made his mark as a punt returner and notched a 73-yard punt return touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers to become Week 13's AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Paired with the interception returned for a score against Seattle, King became the first player since 2011 to register a punt return touchdown and a pick-six in the same season. He is just the seventh player since 2000 to accomplish that feat in a season.
Lastly, Phillips, who earned a trip to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, gets to add the first-team All-Pro honor to his name as well. He not only led the Chargers with 19 special teams tackles, but also the entire NFL as he dominated in the kicking game. Back in December, after learning he made the Pro Bowl, Phillips noted how that was only one part of his individual goals for the season. The other was to earn AP honors. Well, it's clear his hard work paid off.
"Every year I make goals that I want to accomplish for the season and one of my goals was to be a Pro Bowler/All Pro on special teams," he said. "I completed one half of that goal already and there's still more to be done, but it means everything. It's a lot of motivation and it just means, really believe what you're doing and speak it into existence."
Recap the Bolts' 12-4 season with the top defensive big plays from 2018.
Derwin James swats the ball away vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Sun. Sept. 9, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Melvin Ingram sacks QB Patrick Mahomes vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Sun. Sept. 9, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Chargers' defense celebrates Kyzir White's interception vs. the Buffalo Bills on Sun. Sept. 16, 2018 at New Era Field.
Melvin Ingram sacks QB Josh Allen vs. the Buffalo Bills on Sun. Sept. 16, 2018 at New Era Field.
Derwin James intercepts the ball in the end zone vs. the Los Angeles Rams on Sun. Sept. 23, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Derwin James bats down QB C.J. Beathard's throw vs. the San Francisco 49ers on Sun. Sept. 30, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Derwin James defends vs. the San Fransisco 49ers on Sun. Sept. 30, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Isaac Rochell seals the victory with an interception vs. the San Francisco 49ers on Sun. Sept. 30, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Melvin Ingram sacks QB Derek Carr vs. the Oakland Raiders on Sun. Oct. 7, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Melvin Ingram intercepts a pass from QB Derek Carr vs. the Oakland Raiders on Sun Oct. 7, 2018 at StubHub Center
Melvin Ingram celebrates after his interception vs. the Oakland Raiders on Sun. Oct. 7, 2018 at StubHub Center.
The Chargers' defense celebrates after Melvin Ingram's interception vs. the Oakland Raiders on Sun. Oct. 7, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Isaac Rochell sacks Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns on Sun. Oct. 14, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.
Desmond King returns a punt vs. the Tennessee Titans on Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Melvin Ingram sacks QB Marcus Mariota of the Tennessee Titans on Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Adrian Phillips tips the ball on a failed 2-point conversion by the Tennessee Titans on Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Desmond King picks off the ball and runs it to the end zone for a touchdown vs. the Seattle Seahawks on Sun. Nov. 4, 2018 at CenturyLink Field.
Desmond King celebrates his pick-six with teammates vs. the Seattle Seahawks on Sun. Nov. 4, 2018 at CenturyLink Field.
Isaac Rochell sacks QB Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks on Sun. Nov. 4, 2018 at CenturyLink Field.
Isaac Rochell and Darius Philon sack QB Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders on Sun. Nov. 11, 2018 at Oakland Alameda Coliseum.
Melvin Ingram forces a fumble on QB Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders on Sun. Nov. 11, 2018 at Oakland Alameda Coliseum.
Damion Square celebrates a tackle vs. the Denver Broncos on Sun. Nov. 18, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Joey Bosa sacks QB Josh Rosen of the Arizona Cardinals on Sun. Nov. 18, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Derwin James picks off QB Josh Rosen of the Arizona Cardinals on Sun. Nov. 18, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Derwin James runs with the ball after his interception vs. the Arizona Cardinals on Sun. Nov. 18, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Joey Bosa sacks quarterback Josh Rosen of the Arizona Cardinals on Sun. Nov. 18, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Michael Davis tackles JuJu Smith-Schuster of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sun. Dec. 2, 2018 at Heinz Field.
Joy Bosa and Justin Jones sack QB Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sun. Dec. 2, 2018 at Heinz Field.
Derwin James intercepts the ball vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sun. Dec. 2, 2018 at Heinz Field.
Joey Bosa sacks QB Jeff Driskel of the Cincinnati Bengals on Sun. Dec. 9, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Joey Bosa makes a tackle vs. the Cincinnati Bengals on Sun. Dec. 9, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Uchenna Nwosu sacks QB Jeff Driskel vs. the Cincinnati Bengals on Sun. Dec. 9, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Justin Jones applies pressure to QB Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs on Thu. Dec. 13, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Adrian Phillips and Derwin James make a tackle vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Thu. Dec. 13, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Darius Philon and Melvin Ingram celebrating vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Thu. Dec. 13, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Derwin James tackles Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs on Thu. Dec. 13, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Isaac Rochell celebrates after a crucial sack of QB Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs on Thu. Dec. 13, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Michael Davis makes a stop in the end zone vs. the Baltimore Ravens on Sat. Dec, 22, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Joey Bosa applies pressure on QB Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens on Sat. Dec, 22, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Melvin Ingram recovers a Baltimore Ravens fumble on Sat. Dec, 22, 2018 at StubHub Center.
Melvin Ingram and Brandon Mebane stop QB Case Keenum of the Denver Broncos on Sun. Dec. 30, 2018 at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.
Joey Bosa celebrates with teammates after recovering a Denver Broncos fumble on Sun. Dec. 30, 2018 at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.
Kyle Emanuel recovers a Denver Broncos fumble and runs it for a touchdown on Sun. Dec. 30, 2018 at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.
Casey Hayward stiff arms a Denver Broncos defender after intercepting the ball on a two-point conversion on Sun. Dec. 30, 2018 at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.
