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Top 100 NFL players entering the 2020 season: Nos. 70-61

By Samuel Teets

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 1: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a fourth quarter defensive stop against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 1: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a fourth quarter defensive stop against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

64. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

Since 2015, two tight ends stand out as the most consistent pillars at their position. One of those players is Travis Kelce, who just notched a record-setting fourth consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards. Ertz is the other. While he trails Kelce by more than 1,000 yards over the past five years, he’s on the All-Pro’s tail in receptions and receiving touchdowns.

In 2019, Ertz completed his fifth consecutive season with at least 800 receiving yards. To put that in perspective, Kelce (six) and Jason Witten (eight) are the only active tight ends with more of those seasons. Rob Gronkowski only has four such seasons. Ertz made each of the past three Pro Bowls, but he hasn’t received an All-Pro selection yet.

Ertz remains a savior for Philadelphia’s offense. With the unit crumbling around them last season, Ertz and Carson Wentz pulled together and dragged the Eagles to a playoff berth. Ertz led the team in receptions and receiving yards for the fourth consecutive season. He’s led the team in receiving touchdowns in three of the past four years.

Even if he isn’t in the current pantheon of tight ends with Kelce and George Kittle, Ertz is the definition of consistency and reliability.

63. Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos

The Broncos originally selected Simmons with a third-round pick in 2016. By his second season, the Boston College product became a full-time starter. While he served as a solid contributor over the past two years, Simmons emerged as one of the NFL’s best safeties this past season.

With Von Miller suffering a down year and Bradley Chubb missing most of the season, Simmons was Denver’s best defensive presence in 2019. He and Kareem Jackson form one of the league’s most underestimated safety duos. When Denver’s defensive line gets healthy this year, Jackson and Simmons should see their interception totals rise as panicked quarterbacks make poor decisions. That’s how Denver’s defense returns to prominence.

Despite his incredible play, Simmons did not make the Pro Bowl in 2019. He finished the year with four interceptions, 15 passes defended and 93 tackles. The 26-year-old received a Second-Team All-Pro selection from the AP and a First-Team All-Pro nod from PFF. The Broncos franchise tagged Simmons earlier this offseason.

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