ESPN has predicted the top 100 players for the 2020 season, and four San Francisco 49ers made the list. Three of those players are from the defensive side of the football, and you can probably guess which one from the offensive side was the first Niner to appear on the list.
Tight end George Kittle came in at No. 9, which is a significant jump from his ranking of No. 42 from a year ago.
Wrote Nick Wagoner: "Kittle already has more receiving yards than any tight end through his first three seasons in league history, so what could possibly make him better in Year 4? Fresh legs and a deeper connection with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, to name two."
The 49ers added veteran Jordan Reed, who has looked good in training camp and should complement Kittle and offer the All-Pro some more favorable matchups. We'll see if that results in more production for the heart of Kyle Shanahan's offense.
Signature stat: Kittle caught 79% of his targets last season, the highest percentage in a single season by a tight end with at least 900 receiving yards since 2001.
The reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Nick Bosa, didn't appear on last year's ranking but comes in at No. 15 on this year's version.
"He spent the offseason self-scouting and came away believing he could have done more," wrote Wagoner. "That counts as harsh criticism considering Bosa was second in the NFL in total pressures (60) as a rookie. But Bosa says he wants to do a better job finishing his rushes and going into games with a better plan, both of which should allow him to improve on the 9.0 sacks he had as a rookie and solidify himself as one of the game's best young edge rushers."
Signature stat: Bosa's pass rush win rate was tops among rookies at 21.8%. Bosa was one of three rookies with a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery and an interception in 2019 (Devin White, Devin Bush).
Cornerback Richard Sherman is the sixth cornerback within ESPN's ranking, coming in at No. 67 overall. The veteran is entering his 10th NFL season, and the final year of the three-year deal he signed with San Francisco in 2018. The 32-year-old defender proved that he wouldn't let his age define his play, and graded as Pro Football Focus' best cornerback last season.
Sherman did not rank within ESPN's top 100 a year ago.
"Another year removed from the torn Achilles he suffered in 2017, Sherman returned closer to his previous All-Pro form in 2019," wrote Wagoner, "coming up with three interceptions and allowing a passer rating of 46.8 when targeted, third best in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. Now Sherman is back to full strength and playing out the final year of his contract."
Signature stat: Sherman returned to his ball-hawking ways in 2019. He posted a 19% hawk rate, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, fifth highest among players with at least 250 coverage snaps at cornerback. That means he either had a pass defended or interception on 19% of his targets as nearest defender.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead was the final 49ers player on the list. He comes in at No. 93 after not ranking in 2019. Armstead led the 49ers in sacks with 10 and added two more during the playoffs. San Francisco in March re-signed him to a five-year extension.
"But the biggest reason for optimism that Armstead should expand on his breakthrough season is Ford's return to health, which will allow Armstead to continue moving inside, where he's at his best as a pass-rusher on obvious throwing downs," wrote Wagoner.
Signature stat: Armstead, Cameron Jordan, Danielle Hunter and Joey Bosa were the only four defensive linemen to register at least 10.0 sacks and 50 tackles last season.
