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"These rankings will be based on a combination of past performance, future potential, and overall impact on the game," analyst Sam Monson wrote.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs earned the top spot, followed by defensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns. Below is where each 49ers player landed in the top 50, along with Monson's commentary on each.
OT Trent Williams
Rank: 3Monson: "Perhaps nothing better sums up Trent Williams' dominance than the fact that he has actual highlight reels as an offensive tackle. He didn't give up a sack all last season while posting a 92.6 PFF run-blocking grade. He was one of only two tackles in the game to earn PFF grades of at least 80.0 as both a pass protector and a run blocker, and the only one to do so with an overall mark north of 90.0."
DE Nick Bosa
Rank: 7Monson: "Nick Bosa was seen as having a slow start to the season because he recorded just one sack in the first four games, but also racked up 20 total pressures and three 90.0-plus PFF pass-rushing grades in that span. Bosa was a dominant force all season long and racked up an absurd 27 total pressures in three playoff games, including 12 in a Super Bowl loss to Kansas City. He is one of the best all-around players in the game — at any position."
LB Fred Warner
Rank: 9Monson: "Playing linebacker in today's NFL has become increasingly difficult, and very few players do it consistently well. Fred Warner continually remains atop the PFF rankings with elite grades despite those challenges. Last season, he notched a 90.3 PFF overall grade, grading well in every facet of play despite an unusual uptick in missed tackles to 28 over his 20-game season. Warner is the gold standard at a challenging position."
RB Christian McCaffrey
Rank: 10TE George Kittle
Rank: 19Monson: "In a different offense, George Kittle would be unquestionably viewed as one of the most devastating players in the game. San Francisco has so many mouths to feed, however, that we only get glimpses of what he could do if he was given a high-volume workload. Eight different tight ends saw more targets than Kittle last season, including two rookies, but Kittle led the position in yards per route run (2.22) and averaged two full yards per reception more than any other tight end."
WR Brandon Aiyuk
Rank: 49Monson: "Brandon Aiyuk doesn't get the volume of targets that other elite receivers do, but it's because there are so many mouths to feed in Kyle Shanahan's 49ers offense. Aiyuk is one of the most efficient receivers in football on the targets he does receive. Only Tyreek Hill earned a higher PFF grade among wideouts than Aiyuk last season, and he averaged 3.01 yards per route run, dropping only two of the 101 targets sent his way."
WR Deebo Samuel
Rank: 50Monson: "Deebo Samuel is a unique offensive weapon for the 49ers. He is a very good wide receiver, but his ability to move into the backfield and carry the ball like a running back — and a very good one — is what makes him special. On 80 fewer targets than Tyreek Hill, Samuel forced only one fewer missed tackle as a receiver, and he added 19 more as a rusher. Samuel's impact on San Francisco's offense is clear to see when he doesn't suit up. He is an elite force, even if his true position is difficult to define."
