With the Los Angeles Chargers coming off a playoff-contending season, it is fair to assume that they had some pretty good players to get them there. With such talent, the media usually follows suit for their respect of the athletes on the Chargers roster. CBS Writer Pete Prisco released his article: “Prisco’s NFL Top 100 players of 2025: Patrick Mahomes holds onto top spot, running backs making strides,” which contained four Chargers alumni, some with questionable rankings.
CBS Names 4 Chargers In Top 100 Players of 2025
Ranking: #95 – Derwin James
Prisco’s Quote: “James was back to playing at a high level in 2024 after a disappointing 2023 season. He was used more near the line of scrimmage, which plays to his strengths. He is not a player who can just sit in center field and dominate.”
Analysis: Derwin James has finally earned his rank back into the top 100, not for his name, but for his play. James, under the Brandon Staley era, regressed due to having way too much on his plate and not enough time to really be himself. Under Jesse Minter, James had a career resurgence with one interception, 93 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss. His coverage ability was impressive, but what earned him his Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro selection was his backfield-wrecking presence.
It is unfortunate to see James be the lowest-ranking Chargers player on this top 100 players list in 2025, considering what he once was, but hopefully, year two in Minter’s scheme will allow him to become that top 50 player like he once was.
Ranking: #93 – Ladd McConkey
Prisco’s Quote: “As a rookie, McConkey caught 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 14.0 per catch and should be even better in 2025. He also had nine catches for 179 yards and a touchdown in his team’s playoff loss.”
Analysis: Ladd McConkey, the Chargers’ 2024 second-round selection, was one of nine rookies on Prisco’s top 100 players list, which shows just how prestigious his rookie season was. His 82 catches, 1149 yards season was the only thing that kept this Chargers offense alive in 2024, giving the Bolts a future #1 WR, even with the drafting of Tre Harris.
McConkey has shown the floor of what he can be, as he was only a second-year rookie in a run-heavy offense. Year two could definitely mean another top 100 selection, likely cementing himself closer to the top half of this list.
Ranking: #49 – Justin Herbert
Prisco’s Quote: “In his first season under Jim Harbaugh, Herbert threw for 3,870 yards with 28 touchdown passes and just three picks. Over the final four games, he threw nine touchdown passes. He’s another who needs to win in the playoffs.”
Analysis: Justin Herbert’s ranking this high is somewhat surprising if you look at day-to-day media and how people react to him on social media. Herbert is very divisive due to reasons truly unknown. However, NFL players know how good he really is. That said, his passing yardage and touchdown totals may not be the highest points in the league, but Herbert played through injuries and poor surrounding casts to create one of the most efficient and turnover-averse Quarterback seasons in Chargers franchise history.
Herbert has all the talent to rank much higher on this list; it is really up to his coaching and supporting staff to allow him to throw the ball and to catch the ball when it is thrown their way.
Ranking: #38 – Rashawn Slater
Prisco’s Quote: “The former top 10 pick is a rock on the left side of the Chargers line. He excels in pass protection for Justin Herbert, but he’s also powerful in the run game.” [Note: Slater was not a top 1o pick, he was drafted 13th overall in 2021, CBS made a mistake!]
Analysis: The highest-ranking Chargers player in this top 100 list is somewhat of a surprise. Not that Slater does not deserve to be the highest ranking Chargers player in this top 100 list, it is more so that he is finally getting his flowers for being as elite of a blocker as he has been. Slater’s 2024 season still dealt with some injuries, nearly all of which he played through. This 15-game season allowed him a Pro Bowl selection and hopefully a higher ranking in top 100 lists.
Main Photo: [Gary A. Vasquez] – USA Today Sports
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