What happened: NFL players cast the ballots for the annual list. James climbed four spots from his No. 54 placement a year ago.
Why it matters: The recognition reinforces James’ standing at the center of Los Angeles’ defense entering the 2026 season. His new deal keeps him under contract through 2029.
By the numbers: James logged 123 snaps on the line of scrimmage, 231 at linebacker and 141 at safety in 2025. Linebacker accounted for 46.7% of those 495 snaps across the three levels.
What to watch: The countdown continues through August, with one top-10 player scheduled to be unveiled each weekday.