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NFL Network’s ranking of the top 100 players going into the 2024 season continued on Tuesday with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown highlighting the stars in the group between Nos. 21-30.
Coming off a breakout 2023, Purdy made his first career appearance on the list at No. 28 overall. Brown moved up one spot from last year, checking in at No. 21.
NFL Network Top 100 Rankings (No. 21-30)
Purdy jumped into the top 30 after finishing fourth in MVP voting last season. The 24-year-old set a 49ers’ franchise record with 4,280 passing yards in 16 starts. He led the league in QBR (72.8) and rating (113.0).
This marks the first time a 49ers quarterback has made the list since Jimmy Garoppolo (No. 43) going into the 2020 season.
Brown’s move up the list came after he had an unusual season. The three-time Pro Bowler had a historic six-week streak with at least 120 receiving yards in every game from Week 3 through 8, racking up 831 yards and five touchdowns during that span.
In nine games after that stretch, Brown had 517 yards and two touchdowns. He only surpassed 100 yards once in a 42-19 loss to the 49ers in Week 13.
The drop in production is much more a product of the issues the Eagles were having than any indication that Brown hit a wall.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown moved up 43 spots from the 2023 ranking. He was named to the All-Pro first team after recording 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Penei Sewell made the list for the first time after being an All-Pro selection last season. The Lions rewarded both Sewell and St. Brown with contract extensions this offseason.
Even though Nick Bosa made the list for the third straight year, this is actually the lowest he has been in the rankings. The 49ers star edge rusher checked in at No. 4 overall last year coming off his Defensive Player of the Year season in 2022.