Three Chargers earned five Associated Press All-Pro accolades, the organization announced on Friday. Rookie Derwin James earned first-team honors at safety and was a second-team selection at defensive back. Desmond King got the first-team nod at defensive back and was a second-teamer at punt returner while Adrian Phillips earned first-team honors on special teams.
The three first-team selections are the most for the Chargers since 2007 and the first time in team history that any player was an AP first-team and second-team selection at separate positions.
James, who became the first rookie in Chargers history to be named to the first team, finished the 2018 regular season leading the team 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 King with three picks.
King notched 60 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three interceptions, 13 passes defensed, a forced fumble and fumble recovery on defense. 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.
Phillips, who was selected to his first career Pro Bowl, led the NFL with 19 special teams tackles. Overall, Phillips was third on the team with 77 combined tackles. He added nine passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble.