Nine San Francisco 49ers players finished the 2023 season ranked among Pro Football Focus' top 10 players in their position groups. One was Kyle Juszczyk (62.6 overall grade), who ranked second among NFL fullbacks. Of course, only six fullbacks met the minimum snap count criteria. Patrick Ricard of the Baltimore Ravens owned an overall grade of 71.2 and is the only fullback with a higher grade than Juszczyk's.
Below are the eight other players who ranked within the top 10 in their position groups, per Pro Football Focus.
Trent Williams
Position: Tackle
Rank: 1 of 81
Overall Grade: 91.7
Trent Williams was the NFL's highest-graded offensive tackle and the league's second-highest-graded offensive lineman. Only guard Chris Lindstrom of the Atlanta Falcons graded higher (95.0). Williams allowed one sack this past season and 19 total pressures in 555 pass-blocking snaps, including the playoffs. He has earned a grade of 91.7 or higher in each of his three seasons with the 49ers. Williams earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors this past season.
Nick Bosa
Position: Edge Rusher
Rank: 3 of 120
Overall Grade: 90.6
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns (92.5) and Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys (91.8) were the only edge rushers to earn higher grades than the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa. Bosa's 18.5 sacks this past season were a career-high and led the NFL. His 98 total pressures, including the playoffs, were second only to Parsons (106). Bosa's 90.6 overall grade and 90.6 pass-rushing grade were career highs. He earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for his 2022 campaign.
Christian McCaffrey
Position: Running Back
Rank: 2 of 60
Overall Grade: 90.4
McCaffrey was a mid-season addition to the 49ers roster, finishing his 2022 campaign with 2,179 all-purpose yards and 16 total touchdowns, including the playoffs. Only Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders earned a higher overall grade (91.6) this past season. McCaffrey's overall grade of 90.4 was a career-high. He earned his second career Pro Bowl selection in 2022.
Fred Warner
Position: Linebacker
Rank: 2 of 81
Overall Grade: 85.7
Bobby Wagner was the only linebacker to earn a higher overall grade (90.7) than Fred Warner. Warner's 85.7 overall grade was the second-highest of his career. He racked up 153 tackles this past season, including the playoffs. Warner was named to the first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl rosters this past season.
George Kittle
Position: Tight end
Rank: 2 of 73
Overall Grade: 84.7
Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs is the NFL's highest-graded tight end. George Kittle earned the second-highest mark. He finished this past season with 765 receiving yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns, adding 164 receiving yards in the playoffs. While Kittle's 84.7 overall grade ranks second among all tight ends, it is his lowest mark since his rookie season (65.8). Kittle was named to the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2022.
Charvarius Ward
Position: Cornerback
Rank 6 of 118
Overall Grade: 81.0
Charvarius Ward was the 49ers' prized free-agent addition last offseason, and the addition paid off. The cornerback proved himself a reliable starter. Ward missed just two tackles this season, allowing a 58.5 completion percentage and four touchdowns when targeted, including in the playoffs. His 83.2 overall grade and 78.3 coverage grade were career highs.
Jimmie Ward
Position: Safety
Rank: 6 of 88
Overall Grade: 80.6
Jimmie Ward played most of the season at the slot cornerback spot (556 snaps), but Pro Football Focus lists him at his preferred position—safety. Within that group, he ranks sixth. Ward's 80.6 overall grade was the second-highest of his career (85.0 in 2019). He is the only 49ers player on this list scheduled to become a free agent.
Dre Greenlaw
Position: Linebacker
Rank: 9 of 81
Overall Grade: 79.6
While his teammate, Warner, ranks second among NFL linebackers, Dre Greenlaw came in seven spots lower. Greenlaw's 79.6 overall grade is a career-high, as is his run-defense (78.1) and coverage (82.6) grades. He finished the season with 127 tackles, an interception, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown. Greenlaw added 26 tackles in the playoffs.
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