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Who were PFF’s highest- and lowest-graded 49ers players vs. the Cardinals?
The San Francisco 49ers dropped to 3-5 after an embarrassing 31-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9.
Today, Pro Football Focus released its grades from the game. Which Niners played well, and who has more work to do?
Below are Pro Football Focus' five highest-graded 49ers players on offense against the Cardinals.
- Trent Williams, T, 83.9, 59 snaps
- George Kittle, TE, 83.1, 43 snaps
- Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 79.6, 59 snaps
- Laken Tomlinson, LG, 73.9, 59 snaps
- Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 72.7, 55 snaps
Below are the five highest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- Fred Warner, LB, 76.9, 70 snaps
- Jordan Willis, DE, 76.4, 18 snaps
- Nick Bosa, DE, 73.7, 52 snaps
- Arik Armstead, DE, 71.9, 54 snaps
- Arden Key, DE, 70.4, 25 snaps
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on offense.
Below are the three lowest-graded 49ers players on defense.
- Kevin Givens, DT, 35.7, 20 snaps
- Tavon Wilson, FS, 41.1, 69 snaps
- Josh Norman, CB, 41.3, 34 snaps
Quick Takeaways
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had his second-best game of the season from a PFF-grading perspective. His highest grade (80.2) came in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. Garoppolo graded higher than the winning quarterback, Colt McCoy of the Cardinals. McCoy finished with an overall grade of 76.6.
Tackle Trent Williams saw his grade drop from Week 8's career-high of 92.7. Still, it was enough to earn him the highest grade among 49ers players. Williams has recorded the highest offensive grade for the 49ers five times this season.
Tight end George Kittle earned the team's second-highest grade in his first game back from injured reserve (calf). His 101 receiving yards are a season-high. The tight end recorded his first 100-plus-yard receiving game and first touchdown since October 18, 2020. Although, he was responsible for one turnover.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was also responsible for a turnover. However, his 89 receiving yards are a season-high, and his touchdown reception was his first since Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers.
Linebacker Fred Warner recorded a season-high 14 tackles, per Pro Football Reference, matching a career-high and making him the team's highest-graded defender.
Cornerback Josh Norman, who got benched in the game in favor of Dre Kirkpatrick after some banter with Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury resulted in a costly taunting penalty, was among the team's lowest-graded players. Kirkpatrick fared a little better, earning an overall grade of 51.6.
Playing due to injuries to starters
Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt, safety Tavon Wilson was also among the lowest-graded players.
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