Pair of Chargers rise in NFL Top 100 Players list

Two Chargers, Joey Bosa at No. 70 and Eric Kendricks at No. 93, were featured in the bottom half of the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023 list, which was released last week. The list is voted on by the players.

Two more Chargers were revealed to have made the list Tuesday: edge rusher Khalil Mack at No. 38 and quarterback Justin Herbert at No. 32. Mack was not on last year's edition of the list, while Herbert came in at No. 40.

Herbert is the 10th quarterback to be included on this year's list, with Minnesota's Kirk Cousins (No. 42) and New York's Aaron Rodgers (No. 52) as the most recent and is likely the fourth-highest quarterback to appear, with Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, Cincinnati's Joe Burrow, and Buffalo's Josh Allen expected in the top 30.

Herbert jumped up eight spots despite what was perceived by most as a down year for the Chargers offense. This sticks with the theme of Herbert's high Madden rating and his high marks in both The Athletic's and ESPN's quarterback rankings, which were both voted on by league personnel. By and large, those inside and outside the NFL believe in the talent.

Second, the placement of some other names on the list indicate at least one big name likely will not appear on this year's list.

Center Corey Linsley was No. 60 on last year's list has yet to appear on this year's edition. With the list already reaching the top 30, he's unlikely to appear at all.

Left tackle Rashawn Slater was No. 79 last year. Missing all of 2022 likely knocks him off the 2023 list.

Cornerback J.C. Jackson was No. 20 last year. Poor play and the torn patellar tendon that knocked him out for most of 2022 will likely knock him out of contention for this year's list.

That leaves us with wide receiver Keenan Allen, who appeared on the 2022 list at No. 35. The perception of Allen may be off going into this season, as he missed seven games and two second halves in Week 1 and Week 7. He still finished the season with a strong 66 catches for 752 yards considering the time missed, but the optics of missing those games may have been enough to tank Allen's candidacy this year.

More revealing are some of the names to appear on this list this week. Cincinnati receiver Ja'Marr Chase and Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb came in at Nos. 39. and 32, respectively. It's hard to imagine Allen coming in ahead of receivers like Chase and Lamb.

The rest of the list will be revealed in increments of 10 each day this week. Expect safety Derwin James (No. 43 last year) and running back Austin Ekeler (No. 46 last year) to appear.