Six San Francisco 49ers stars earned spots in ESPN's latest ranking of the NFL's top 100 players entering the 2026 season.
Twelve ESPN analysts and reporters helped compile the list, including Dan Graziano, Field Yates, and Mina Kimes. The rankings are based on projected performance for the 2026 season rather than past accomplishments.
Only one NFL team had more players represented than the 49ers: the Philadelphia Eagles, who placed eight players in the top 100.
Below are the six 49ers players who made ESPN's list, along with what ESPN 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner had to say about each player.
LB Fred Warner
2026 rank: 20
2025 rank: 13
Wagoner: "Before suffering a season-ending foot and ankle injury last October, Warner was on pace for one of his best NFL seasons with 51 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in five-plus games. He has been back to full strength all offseason and should get a full training camp to knock off any rust, which positions him to continue his reign as the league's top off-ball linebacker."
2026 projections: 149 tackles, 9 PDs, 4 FFs, 2 INTs, 1 sack
OT Trent Williams
2026 rank: 28
2025 rank: 43
Wagoner: "Williams remains one of the league's best tackles and hasn't showed many signs of slowing down at his age. In 2025, he earned All-Pro honors for the fifth time in his career. With his contract situation settled and an eye toward finishing his career after two more seasons, Williams has no shortage of motivation to put together another big season as he chases the one accolade that has eluded him: a Super Bowl title."
RB Christian McCaffrey
2026 rank: 29
2025 rank: 48
Wagoner: "Coming off a career-high 413 touches, McCaffrey will have to defy the odds to put together another big season in 2026. But he has made a career of doing just that, and this season, he should have enough help to at least draw some attention away from him. An improved downfield passing game should help open things up if the Niners commit to keeping McCaffrey fresh while still featuring him on offense."
2026 projections: 274 carries, 1,131 rushing yards, 9 TDs; 79 receptions, 682 receiving yards, 5 TDs
TE George Kittle
2026 rank: 47
2025 rank: 27
Wagoner: "Despite tearing his Achilles in January, Kittle is aiming to be back in Week 1. Even if that return has to wait a bit, Kittle still seems to have plenty in the tank at his age. Last season, he finished second among tight ends in receiving yards per game (57.1) and tied for fifth in touchdowns (seven). With more proven playmakers surrounding him in 2026, including WR Mike Evans, Kittle should get enough favorable matchups to post another All-Pro season."
2026 projections: 74 receptions, 810 receiving yards, 6 TDs
DE Nick Bosa
2026 rank: 55
2025 rank: 34
Wagoner: "The 2022 DPOY is returning from a season-ending ACL injury for the second time in his NFL career; but before he tore the ligament in his right knee during Week 3, he already had two sacks, two forced fumbles and fumble recovery. The addition of defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa should create more opportunities for Bosa to win one-on-ones and clean up when the interior pass rush drops quarterbacks in his lap."
2026 projections: 64 tackles, 11 sacks, 3 FFs, 1 PD
QB Brock Purdy
2026 rank: 73
2025 rank: 96
Wagoner: "Purdy missed eight games in 2025 with a toe injury, but once he recovered, he had one of the best stretches of his career (a 73.2 QBR that ranked fourth in the NFL from Week 11 on). With a revamped WR room that includes Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and promising rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, a healthy Purdy looks poised to build on that finishing flourish."
2026 projections: 4,181 passing yards, 27 TDs, 14 INTs; 65 carries, 277 rushing yards, 4 TDs
While concerns remain about the team's ability to stay healthy and the age of its core stars, the six players featured in ESPN's top 100 underscore that the 49ers still boast one of the NFL's most talent-rich rosters entering the 2026 season.
Mentioned in this article: Nick Bosa, Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Osa Odighizuwa, Brock Purdy, De'Zhaun Stribling, Fred Warner, Trent Williams
Comments