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We're nearing the final stretch of the NFL offseason, and the league is currently unveiling its top 100 players of 2026.
The annual summer list, compiled from votes by the league's players, provides insight into how individuals are perceived by their peers. For the second straight year, the NFL is unveiling player rankings in short videos on X (formerly Twitter) through Sept. 4, with installments later available on NFL+. The series began on June 22 and runs weekdays through Sept. 4.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was rated the No. 1 player in 2025, and four former Iowa Hawkeyes cracked the top 100 last year.
More: Here are the former Iowa, Iowa State players who made the NFL Top 100 list
Here are the first Iowa college alums to appear on the NFL's player‑voted Top 100 list.
Former Iowa and current Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell made his debut on the NFL’s player‑voted list, coming in at No. 88
In 2025, Campbell led the Lions and finished second in the NFL with 176 tackles. He played all but eight of the team's 1,105 defensive snaps and set career highs in sacks (five), forced fumbles (three) and fumble recoveries (two).
"Jack's a freak," former Iowa teammate and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs said in the X episode. "[He's] 6‑foot‑5, runs like a deer, hits like a train."
Campbell, who turns 26 in August, has recorded more than 400 tackles and has not missed a game in his three-year NFL career. He became the first Lions linebacker to be named a first-team All-Pro since Chris Spielman in 1991.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean praised the Iowa native's ability to affect every phase of the game.
"He's a big, big guy," Dean said. "You can see it on the film; he uses his length and everything to his advantage."
After his career year, Campbell signed a four-year, $81 million contract in May with $51.5 million guaranteed. Campbell's salary comes out to $20.25 million, per OverTheCap, making him the second-highest-paid player at his position, trailing only the San Francisco 49ers' Fred Warner at $21 million.
More: Lions sign former Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell to $81 million deal
"He understands offenses really well. That's something I try to take from him, you know, his film study and what he puts into the game," Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, who played with Campbell at Iowa in 2021 and 2022, said. "I knew he'd be a great player, and he'll be a great player for a long time."
Detroit's 2026 regular season kicks off Sept. 13 against the New Orleans Saints.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy ranked No. 85 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 list, as voted on by his peers.
The former Cyclone returned to the list after missing it in 2025 following an injury-marred season dealing with shoulder and elbow issues. Purdy was rated the No. 28 best player in 2024 after throwing for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns and leading the 49ers to Super Bowl 58.
While continuing to battle injuries in 2025 that sidelined him for half the season, Purdy led the team to a 7–2 record in nine starts, completing 69.4% of his passes for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added 147 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries.
Purdy’s episode opened with 49ers teammates George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk discussing the excitement their quarterback brings when he plays with confidence. And nothing captures it better than when Purdy breaks into his signature touchdown celebration: "The Dougie."
"Just having Brock's swagger — that's a small example of the type of energy he brings to our team," Juszczyk said. "He has such a quiet confidence about him"
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said Purdy has outgrown the label that he's merely a system quarterback benefiting from being in Kyle Shanahan's scheme and having a star‑studded group of pass catchers.
"He's one of the better young quarterbacks in the league, man," Crosby said. "He's talented. You see that with how great that offense is able to operate."
The 49ers open the 2026 regular season on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, Australia, against the Los Angeles Rams.
Here are the rankings released so far as of Monday, July 6.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Jack Campbell, Brock Purdy make NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 list
Continue reading...
The annual summer list, compiled from votes by the league's players, provides insight into how individuals are perceived by their peers. For the second straight year, the NFL is unveiling player rankings in short videos on X (formerly Twitter) through Sept. 4, with installments later available on NFL+. The series began on June 22 and runs weekdays through Sept. 4.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was rated the No. 1 player in 2025, and four former Iowa Hawkeyes cracked the top 100 last year.
More: Here are the former Iowa, Iowa State players who made the NFL Top 100 list
Here are the first Iowa college alums to appear on the NFL's player‑voted Top 100 list.
Career year for Jack Campbell lands him on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026
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Former Iowa and current Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell made his debut on the NFL’s player‑voted list, coming in at No. 88
In 2025, Campbell led the Lions and finished second in the NFL with 176 tackles. He played all but eight of the team's 1,105 defensive snaps and set career highs in sacks (five), forced fumbles (three) and fumble recoveries (two).
"Jack's a freak," former Iowa teammate and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs said in the X episode. "[He's] 6‑foot‑5, runs like a deer, hits like a train."
Campbell, who turns 26 in August, has recorded more than 400 tackles and has not missed a game in his three-year NFL career. He became the first Lions linebacker to be named a first-team All-Pro since Chris Spielman in 1991.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean praised the Iowa native's ability to affect every phase of the game.
"He's a big, big guy," Dean said. "You can see it on the film; he uses his length and everything to his advantage."
After his career year, Campbell signed a four-year, $81 million contract in May with $51.5 million guaranteed. Campbell's salary comes out to $20.25 million, per OverTheCap, making him the second-highest-paid player at his position, trailing only the San Francisco 49ers' Fred Warner at $21 million.
More: Lions sign former Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell to $81 million deal
"He understands offenses really well. That's something I try to take from him, you know, his film study and what he puts into the game," Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, who played with Campbell at Iowa in 2021 and 2022, said. "I knew he'd be a great player, and he'll be a great player for a long time."
Detroit's 2026 regular season kicks off Sept. 13 against the New Orleans Saints.
Where did Iowa State's Brock Purdy rank on NFL Top 100 Players of 2026?
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy ranked No. 85 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 list, as voted on by his peers.
The former Cyclone returned to the list after missing it in 2025 following an injury-marred season dealing with shoulder and elbow issues. Purdy was rated the No. 28 best player in 2024 after throwing for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns and leading the 49ers to Super Bowl 58.
While continuing to battle injuries in 2025 that sidelined him for half the season, Purdy led the team to a 7–2 record in nine starts, completing 69.4% of his passes for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added 147 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries.
Purdy’s episode opened with 49ers teammates George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk discussing the excitement their quarterback brings when he plays with confidence. And nothing captures it better than when Purdy breaks into his signature touchdown celebration: "The Dougie."
"Just having Brock's swagger — that's a small example of the type of energy he brings to our team," Juszczyk said. "He has such a quiet confidence about him"
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said Purdy has outgrown the label that he's merely a system quarterback benefiting from being in Kyle Shanahan's scheme and having a star‑studded group of pass catchers.
"He's one of the better young quarterbacks in the league, man," Crosby said. "He's talented. You see that with how great that offense is able to operate."
The 49ers open the 2026 regular season on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, Australia, against the Los Angeles Rams.
Who are the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2026?
Here are the rankings released so far as of Monday, July 6.
- 100. CameronJordan: DE, New Orleans Saints
- 99. QuentonNelson: G, Indianapolis Colts
- 98. BryceYoung: QB, Carolina Panthers
- 97. ErnestJonesIV: LB, Seattle Seahawks
- 96. TravisEtienneJr.: RB, New Orleans Saints
- 95. DemarioDavis: LB, New York Jets
- 94. CreedHumphrey: C, Kansas City Chiefs
- 93. CarsonSchwesinger: LB, Cleveland Browns
- 92. AzeezAl-Shaair: LB, Houston Texans
- 91. MontezSweat: DE, Chicago Bears
- 90. DerrickBrown: DT, Carolina Panthers
- 89. KyrenWilliams: RB, Los Angeles Rams
- 88. JackCampbell: LB, Detroit Lions
- 87. TetairoaMcMillan: WR, Carolina Panthers
- 86. TuliTuipulotu: EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers
- 85. BrockPurdy: QB, San Francisco 49ers
- 84. ByronYoung: EDGE, Los Angeles Rams
- 83. Jeffery Simmons: DT, Tennessee Titans
- 82. Jalen Ramsey: DB, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 81. Bobby Wagner: LB, Washington Commanders
- 80. A.J. Brown: WR, New England Patriots
- 79. Travis Kelce: TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Jack Campbell, Brock Purdy make NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 list
Continue reading...
