Pro Football Focus (PFF) has unveiled its list of the top 101 players from the 2023 season, featuring 10 standout San Francisco 49ers players. The rankings are solely based on performance evaluations from the past season, encompassing both regular-season and playoff contributions, irrespective of position. This methodology ensures that quarterbacks do not automatically dominate the top spots, as PFF maintains that "all positions are created equal" for this ranking.
The following 49ers players have earned spots on this prestigious list, with analyst Sam Monson providing insights into their rankings and contributions.
WR Deebo Samuel
Rank: 64
"Samuel may be the most important player on the 49ers' offense. When he wasn't in the lineup, things changed for the worse. He averaged 2.26 yards per route run and had five rushing touchdowns, but his impact is felt beyond the stats, as the threat he brings of lining up all over the formation impacts defenses on every snap." — Monson
LB Dre Greenlaw
Rank: 59
"His season ended in tragic circumstances in the Super Bowl, a torn Achilles suffered when running onto the field, but Greenlaw had been an impact playmaker for the 49ers up until that point, forging one of the most potent linebacker combinations in the game alongside Fred Warner." — Monson
CB Charvarius Ward
Rank: 35
"Ward has played the best football of his career since signing with the San Francisco 49ers, and he was once again one of the best cornerbacks in the game in 2023. Including the playoffs, Ward had five interceptions and 16 pass breakups. He allowed just a 62.3 passer rating when targeted." — Monson
QB Brock Purdy
Rank: 32
"Purdy isn't built for today's hot-take landscape that lacks nuance. In a spectacular season, absolutely aided by the contributions of coach Kyle Shanahan and his supporting cast, Purdy and the 49ers became greater than the sum of the team's parts. Purdy averaged 9.6 yards per attempt this season, almost a full yard better than any other quarterback." — Monson
LB Fred Warner
Rank: 29
"The gold standard when it comes to off-ball linebackers in today's NFL, Warner was again the best in the league at that position on his way to a Super Bowl appearance. His PFF overall grade was bested by only one other linebacker — a player who saw half as many snaps as Warner. Only an unusually high 28 missed tackles kept Warner away from one of the very top spots on this list." — Monson
TE George Kittle
Rank: 22
"Where Kittle separates himself from other elite receivers at the tight end position is in blocking. Kittle is a throwback to a time when tight ends were all-around threats who got dirty in the trenches and caught passes. His 87.7 PFF overall grade in 2023 was by far the best at the position." — Monson
WR Brandon Aiyuk
Rank: 18
"The 49ers don't throw the ball as much as other teams, so Aiyuk's opportunity to put up volume was limited. He averaged 2.65 yards per route run and almost 18 yards per reception while dropping only two passes all season. Aiyuk was one of the most devastating playmakers on one of the league's best offenses." — Monson
OT Trent Williams
Rank: 13
"The best left tackle in football showed no signs of slowing down this past season, dominating once again for the 49ers. He didn't give up a single sack all year, including the playoffs, and his 92.5 PFF run-blocking grade was the second-best mark among tackles." — Monson
DE Nick Bosa
Rank: 6
"Bosa orchestrated maybe the most quietly dominant season in the NFL in 2023. He was an absolute monster but garnered very little recognition for it because he recorded only two sacks over the first seven games. He ultimately finished with 122 total pressures, including the playoffs and 12 in the Super Bowl. Bosa posted new career highs in PFF overall grade (92.2) and PFF pass-rushing grade (92.3)." — Monson
RB Christian McCaffrey
Rank: 5
"Dating back to college, McCaffrey has been a scrimmage-yards cheat code, and this year was maybe his finest work in the NFL. He led the league in rushing yards (1,459), added 564 receiving yards and scored 23 touchdowns between receptions and carries. He only added to those numbers in the playoffs on his way to a Super Bowl in which he had another 160 yards from scrimmage." — Monson