San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is back on the NFL Top 100 Players list, coming in at No. 43 on the 2020 version of the ranking. He joins linebacker Fred Warner, who came in at No. 70 while making his first appearance on the list.
Garoppolo last appeared on the NFL Top 100 Players entering the 2018 season and following his 49ers debut season in 2017, which saw the quarterback win his first five starts after a trade from the New England Patriots. Garoppolo came in at No. 90 in 2018 but did not make last year's list after an ACL injury shortened his 2018 campaign.
He led the @49ers to #SBLIV…@JimmyG_10 makes his way BACK on the countdown at 43! pic.twitter.com/W8aHhRIPXM
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 28, 2020
"He doesn't allow pass rushers to get to him," said Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker. "He's very efficient. He gets the ball out quick."
Garoppolo completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 3,978 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions through 16 games in 2019, helping San Francisco to a division championship in his first full NFL season as a starter before leading the 49ers on a playoff run that included an appearance in Super Bowl LIV.
"He's been so clutch this season," fullback Kyle Juszczyk said of Garoppolo during an interview last season for the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020. "He doesn't back down from any challenge. I feel like he was catching flack early in the season because not a lot was being asked of him. Our run game was being so productive. Our defense was so good. But we've really had to rely on Jimmy to step up and make plays, and he just continues to do it.
"I think he's got a lot of underrated traits, to be honest with you. I just don't think he gets credit for the arm talent that he has. I think he's got one of, if not the quickest, releases in the NFL. He just does such a good job of putting the ball in a place for our receivers to make plays. We have so much run-after-the-catch. I think a lot of that has to do with Jimmy."
San Francisco has five players in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020, which means there are still three slated to be revealed.
The NFL Top 100 Players list is voted on by players and is based on performance during the previous year and predicted performance during the upcoming season. The list is in its 10th season on NFL Network.
Two players — tight end George Kittle and pass rusher Dee Ford — represented the 49ers on last year's NFL Top 100 Players list.
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