Lions' Aidan Hutchinson, Chargers' Justin Herbert Named Nos. 55, 56 on NFL Top 100

Detroit Lions edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Hebrert were the newest entries in the list of the NFL's top 100 players heading into the 2025 season.

Herbert rose 19 places to No. 56, while Hutchinson slipped eight spots to No. 55.

NFL Top 100 Players for 2025

100. Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

99. Leonard Williams, DL, Seattle Seahawks

98. Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

97. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

96. Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

95. Josh Sweat, OLB, Arizona Cardinals

94. Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions

93. Creed Humphrey, C, Kansas City Chiefs

92. Jessie Bates, S, Atlanta Falcons

91. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins

90. Zach Allen, DL, Denver Broncos

89. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

88. Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB, Minnesota Vikings

87. Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets

86. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Washington Commanders

85. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

84. Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots

83. Cameron Heyward, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers

82. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns

81. Trent McDuffie, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

80. Rashan Gary, DE, Green Bay Packers

79. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

78. Khalil Mack, DE, Los Angeles Chargers

77. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

76. Vita Vea, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

75. Patrick Queen, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

74. Bobby Wagner, LB, Washington Commanders

73. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

72. Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks

71. Kerby Joseph, S, Detroit Lions

70. Frankie Luvu, LB, Washington Commanders

69. Jordan Mailata, OL, Philadelphia Eagles

68. Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers

67. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

66. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers

65. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals

64. Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos

63. Josh Hines-Allen, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars

62. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

61. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

60. Cooper DeJean, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

59. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams

58. Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans

57. Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers

56. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

55. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Detroit Lions

While last year wasn't Herbert's most prolific under center for Los Angeles, it was one of his most efficient. He threw for 3,870 yards and 23 touchdowns to just three interceptions. His 101.7 passer rating was a personal best, while he had his second-highest QBR (64.8), per Pro Football Reference.

The 27-year-old's relatively low yardage total spoke more to the shift in the Chargers' offensive philosophy under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The team went from 24th in rushing attempts in 2023 to 11th with Harbaugh at the helm.

Los Angeles emphasized the running game a little more, which had an accompanying effect on Herbert's production.

Given the way the season ended, the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year still has his skeptics. The Chargers lost 32-12 to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Round, and Herbert went 14-of-32 for 242 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.

In the eyes of Harbaugh, the one challenge facing Herbert has nothing to do with him.

"This is the truth, Justin Herbert's biggest weakness is all of those that he's counting on on offense — coaches, offensive line, playmakers, receivers, running backs — to get up to his level," he said to NFL Network's Jamie Erdahl and Manti Te'o. "I wake up every day to try to get to his level."

Fans have been talking themselves into Herbert turning an All-Pro corner for the last three or four years. Maybe that finally becomes a reality in 2025.

The fact Hutchinson only dropped to 55th is a sign of how highly he's respected.

The 2023 Pro Bowler appeared in just five games after fracturing his fibula and tibia in a win over the Dallas Cowboys. He was on pace for a massive campaign, having recorded 7.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss before getting hurt.

Losing Hutchinson for the year foreshadowed how the rest of the season would unfold in Detroit. The Lions had a threadbare defense by the time the postseason rolled around, and that played a role in their 45-31 upset at the hands of the Washington Commanders.

With Week 1 less than two months away, Hutchinson said he's feeling good physically and in the right frame of mind.

"Football has been feeling normal for a long time now," he told reporters. "I would say first day of OTAs, I got kicked, stepped on, everything under the sun on this leg and after practice I got up and I was like, 'all right, we're good.' And I think it takes those physical things to happen to you to mentally kind of solidify where you're at and the confidence and moving past it."

Detroit is once again among the top Super Bowl contenders, and the franchise will hope it has much better injury luck to avoid another disappointing playoff exit.