1. The initial transformation

Jeremy Chinn was a self-described "late bloomer" in high school, resulting in him not being heavily recruited.

He began high school as an undersized running back around 5-foot-8, 135 pounds. A growth spurt as an upperclassmen and a switch to defensive back helped mold him into one of the best defensive players in the state of Illinois. At Fishers High School, he set school records for interceptions and interception return yards in a season and interceptions in a career.

"In high school I was one of the smaller guys going in, but probably by my junior and senior years I started to fill out a little bit," Chinn said in 2020. "But it really took me all the way through college to continue to grow and grow, and I've just kept on growing."

2. Gem of the draft

The former Southern Illinois safety was the highest-selected player from an FCS program in the 2020 NFL Draft.

He was the No. 64 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers following a dominant collegiate career at Southern Illinois. He was a two-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) First-Team selection and was named a consensus FCS All-American his senior season. He capped off his career with the Salukis with four interceptions and seven pass deflections in 2019.

Before the draft, Chinn ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and received the second-highest athleticism score (88) by any safety at the event per NFL Next Gen Stats.

3. Immediate success in Carolina

The safety became an immediate starter in the Carolina Panthers secondary.

In 2020, he started 15 games and recorded 117 total tackles, five pass deflections and two forced fumbles. He was also the first player in the Super Bowl era with two fumble recovery touchdowns in the same game. He was the runner-up for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In his four-year tenure with the Panthers, he compiled 17 pass deflections, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles.

4. Winning ways in Washington

Chinn's decision to sign with the Washington Commanders last offseason paid off as he helped the team to its first NFC Championship game appearance since 1991.

In his one season with the Commanders, the safety started all 17 games and finished second on the team in solo tackles (73) behind Pro Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner. Washington finished the regular season with 12 wins, also their most in a year since 1991.

In Chinn's first three career playoff games, he totaled 17 solo tackles and an interception.

5. Family ties

Chinn is the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, who played 10 seasons for the Denver Broncos. Chinn's uncle was a two-time Super Bowl champion and eight-time Pro Bowler in his career.

"Good players make plays. And guys who hustle — and Jeremy does an amazing job of flying to the ball," Atwater said of Chinn in 2020. "He's always in the vicinity, man. He makes plays. And I'm not surprised because just the effort he has, the positive attitude — willing to go in there and do whatever needs to be done. I'm extremely happy for him. Could not happen to a more deserving young man."

Interesting enough, Chinn will be the third safety on the Raiders with an uncle in the Hall of Fame. Isaiah Pola-Mao is the nephew of Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu and Trey Taylor is related through marriage to former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed.