Earlier this week, we learned that two San Francisco 49ers players earned spots in Pro Football Focus' top 50 best players in the NFL right now. They were running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who landed at No. 44 and No. 50, respectively.
Now we know that four other 49ers players earned spots within the ranking, making a total of six representatives from the Bay Area squad. That also happens to be the most players from a single team, begging the question of whether the Niners are the most complete team in the NFL.
Are the 49ers the most complete team in the NFL? pic.twitter.com/tcOvRhCa1n
— PFF (@PFF) July 22, 2023
Who were the remaining four 49ers players on the top 50 list?
Trent Williams
Rank: 3
Offensive tackle Trent Williams landed at No. 3, behind only quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. While it's an honor to be in the top three, Williams finds himself one spot lower than last year's ranking.
Still, it's tough to argue that there is an offensive lineman better than Williams in the NFL right now.
"Williams keeps creating an endless teaching tape of highlight-reel blocks destroying defenders," wrote analyst Sam Monson. "In a league full of super strength, he is able to ragdoll incredibly stout and established defenders. His 91.7 overall PFF grade was the best in the league, and he posted a grade of at least 88.3 in both run blocking and pass protection. Williams allowed 19 total pressures in 17 games."
Nick Bosa
Rank: 6
Defensive end Nick Bosa is the No. 6 ranked player. It's a massive 20-spot jump up from last year's ranking for the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
"Ninety-eight total pressures, including the playoffs, and 19 sacks in 19 outings speaks for itself," wrote Monson. "Bosa completely took over games last season. He had three single-game performances with a 90.0-plus PFF pass-rushing grade and in two games had at least 10 pressures. Bosa is a problem for any team in the league to have to stop on the edge, and he can determine the outcome of a contest if you slip up blocking him once."
Fred Warner
Rank: 14
Linebacker Fred Warner finds himself at No. 14 on the list, a significant jump from last year's No. 30 ranking. Pro Football Focus recently named the undeniable heart of the 49ers defense as the top-ranked linebacker in the NFL.
"Warner's excellence is displayed simply through the assignments he draws within the 49ers defense, which asks him to play a bigger role than most other players at the position," wrote Monson. "Warner responded with an 85.7 overall grade and earned good grades in every facet of play PFF measures. He allowed an 88.8 passer rating into his coverage, more than 15 points lower than the average at the position."
George Kittle
Rank: 39
Last of the latest 49ers reveals is tight end George Kittle, who came in at No. 39, a 19-spot drop from last year's No. 20 ranking. The fall may have had something to do with the 49ers continuing to add versatile star power.
"Kittle would likely be even higher on this list if the 49ers didn't keep adding other athletic freakshows to steal his spotlight," wrote Monson. "Kittle is the one tight end in the league who can rival Travis Kelce as a receiver — and he's a better blocker than Kelce, too — but the limelight is shared around in San Francisco far more than in Kansas City. Last year, passes thrown Kittle's way generated a passer rating of 140.0."
