On a team with several elite players, the answer may not be as easy as you think.
With a roster as deep as the 49ers containing the reigning OPOY (Christian McCaffrey), the consensus best off-ball linebacker and left tackle in the NFL, as well as the player who won DPOY two seasons prior, it is very hard to figure out who are the top three players on this 49ers team. Even George Kittle has a claim to be the best tight end in football (which I agree with).
Trevor Sikemma of PFF ranked the top three players for each team in his latest article. It is hard to argue with Sikemma’s rankings for the 49ers as they mirror last year’s ranking of Trent Williams, Fred Warner, and Nick Bosa.
Here are Sikemma’s thoughts:
Six or seven players on this roster could easily form the top three on a team. Ultimately, we are sticking with the same choices from last year.
Trent Williams posted a 92.0-plus PFF grade for the fourth consecutive season, and Fred Warner earned the best single-season grade of his career in 2023 (90.9). Then there is Nick Bosa, who surpassed a 90.0 pass-rush grade for the third year in a row.
It’s not just the dominance and excellence of these three; their consistency keeps them here over some seriously talented players also considered.
Sikemma considered Kittle, McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, and Deebo Samuel for the list before ultimately repeating last year’s rank.
Kittle finished with the most receiving yards for any tight end. He detailed in Wednesday’s media availability, all while dealing with an injury. Kittle’s blocking prowess is the icing on the cake to make him the best tight end in football.
According to Pro Football Reference, Purdy led the NFL in passer rating, yards per attempt, touchdown percentage, and passing success rate (successful pass gains at least 40% of yards required on 1st down, 60% of yards required on 2nd down, and 100% on 3rd or 4th down. The denominator is pass attempts + times sacked).
Samuel is the prototype for the modern “offensive weapon” and has teams searching in the draft for the next “Deebo” each year. The effect of Samuel on this offense isn’t measured by any tangible statistic.
As for Sikemma’s ranking, I agree with the three selections. Williams is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, and Bosa is a game wrecker at a premium position along with Warner, who can do anything asked of a linebacker. The fact that there can be discussions about other players than the aforementioned three is only a testament to how talented and deep this roster is.
Purdy has a chance to jump into the ranking next season since he plays the most important position in sports and can improve on his sensational 2023.
Along with Purdy’s ascension, Kittle’s numbers (touchdowns in particular) have risen. A full season with little to no injuries can keep him on the mountaintop of tight ends in 2024.
Samuel might be entering a contract year. That is assuming he is traded and most likely will ask for a new deal with his new team. The last time Samuel was playing for a contract, he put together one of the most prolific seasons ever for a 49er.
McCaffrey is the best running back in football. Another season like his last two, and it will be hard to keep him out of the top three.
That is the fun part of this 49ers team.