Rams' Jared Verse, Chargers' Derwin James Jr. Named Nos. 53, 54 on NFL Top 100

Southern California got two more representatives included among the Top 100 players heading into the 2025 NFL season.

Los Angeles Chargres free safety Derwin James rose 29 places to No. 54, while Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse debuted at No. 53.

Here's how the Top 100 list looks with a little more than half of the entries still to come:

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

54. Derwin James Jr., FS, Los Angeles Chargers

53. Jared Verse, LB, Los Angeles Rams

James enjoyed a return to form in 2024. He finished with 93 tackles, one interception and seven pass breakups en route to earning his fourth Pro Bowl nod.

With the 28-year-old anchoring the secondary, the Chargers went from one of the worst pass defenses in 2023 to a top-10 unit last season. They climbed from 30th in yards allowed (249.8) to seventh (206.9).

According to Pro Football Reference, James allowed a paltry 5.2 yards per target and a 74.2 opponent quarterback rating.

The 2018 first-round pick reset the safety market when he signed his four-year, $76.5 million extension with Los Angeles. He's due to be a free agent in 2027 — when he'll be 31 — and he could very well raise the financial bar for his position once again.

For now, the Chargers are looking to James to help fuel another run to the postseason.

On L.A.'s other team, Verse made an immediate impact. He had 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss while appearing in every game. ESPN.com ranked him 14th in pass-rush win rate.

The 24-year-old was the overwhelming pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year, getting 36 first-place votes compared to nine for runner-up Quinyon Mitchell.

Verse also made his presence felt in the playoffs. He recovered a fumble and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown in the NFC Wild Card Round win over the Minnesota Vikings. Then he had a pair of sacks in the divisional round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Aaron Donald left a massive void in the Rams' front seven when he retired after the 2023 season. The eight-time All-Pro is one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, so it's unfair to ask any one player to match the extent to which he disrupted the game.

In Verse, the Rams at least have a young star who can anchor the pass rush in the same way Donald did for a decade.