Finally, Los Angeles Chargers players are starting to get the recognition they deserve. CBS Sports recently released its Top 100 NFL Players of 2025, and four Chargers made the list. It reflects not only individual excellence but also the growing belief that the Chargers are building something serious on both sides of the ball.
From several franchise cornerstones on offense to an elite presence on defense, here’s a breakdown of each Chargers player who earned a spot in this year’s rankings.
Rashawn Slater and Justin Herbert Crack the Top 50
Coming in at No. 49, Justin Herbert proved once again why he’s one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. Despite adapting to a new playbook in 2024, he flourished in his first season under Jim Harbaugh. Herbert threw for 3,870 yards and 23 touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and only three interceptions in the regular season.
While he continues to chase postseason success, Herbert’s consistency and upside are impossible to ignore. Dropping just eight spots from last year’s ranking (No. 41), he remains firmly entrenched in the conversation of top-tier quarterbacks. All that’s left is to get over the hump in the playoffs.
One of the biggest reasons for Herbert’s success is the man protecting his blind side, Rashawn Slater, who soared to No. 38 on the list, a 31-spot jump from last year (No. 69). He reestablished himself as one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles. Known for his elite pass-blocking skills, Slater was ranked as the second-best tackle in the NFL by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and is coming off a career-high 91.1 overall grade by PFF.
The Slater-Herbert duo offers stability and leadership for the Chargers’ offense for years to come. Now the Chargers need to make sure Slater stays in the building by giving him a massive contract.
Ladd McConkey and Derwin James Round Out the Top 100 List
GettyLos Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James had a bounce-back season in 2024.
Not many expected a rookie wide receiver to crack the Top 100 list, but Ladd McConkey did just that, landing at No. 93. In his rookie season, he was nothing short of electric. McConkey hauled in 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging a staggering 14 yards per catch. Beyond the regular season, he showed he could perform in the playoffs, posting nine catches for 197 yards (21.9 avg!) and one touchdown in the Chargers’ playoff loss against the Houston Texans.
A former Georgia standout, McConkey’s route running, quickness, and football IQ quickly made him Herbert’s go-to target last season. Given the departures of veteran wideouts in the offseason, McConkey stepped up in a big way and is poised to be the face of the Chargers’ receiving corps moving forward.
The lone defensive player in the top 100, Derwin James, returned to form in 2024, earning the No. 95 spot after not appearing in last year’s rankings. He rebounded thanks to a new role that put him closer to the line of scrimmage, a spot that allows James to maximize his physicality and instincts. While he’s not a traditional free safety, his versatility as a hybrid defender is invaluable.
“He hasn’t even reached his ceiling, there’s so much there for him. And the greatest thing is he wants it more than anybody,” safeties coach Adam Fuller said in regards to James.
“He’s the guy that if somebody, whatever position, we lose a guy, he can make it right,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter added.
The recognition of these four stars by CBS Sports suggests that the NFL world is starting to take notice, and if this momentum continues, more Chargers could be joining them on next year’s list.
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