It’s no secret that the 49ers have one of the best rosters in the NFL. It’s one of the reasons they were confident in using the inexperienced Trey Lance as their starter earlier in the year, and why seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy was so successful in his stint as the starting QB.
Pro Football Focus backed the claims of San Francisco’s top-end roster by placing seven of its players in the top 101 for the 2022 season.
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The usual suspects are scattered on the list, but two names stand out that show some good 49ers team building.
While Nick Bosa and Trent Williams top the list, cornerback Charvarius Ward and linebacker Dre Greenlaw also make appearances lower down.
Ward was a slightly under-the-radar free-agent signing who played very well for San Francisco and revamped a secondary school that was in desperate need of a star. Although Ward wasn’t the free agents’ best cornerback last year, he played the way he was. His contributions helped the 49ers recover from the loss of Emmanuel Moseley and continue to produce as one of the NFL’s top pass defenders. What stood out, however, was his contributions to the 49ers’ top-ranked run defense, where he was PFF’s top-rated CB against the run.
Free agency is just one way to fill out a high-profile roster. Draft is perhaps even more important, and San Francisco’s success in making selections there helped immensely in their three NFC title games in four years.
One of those picks was linebacker Dre Greenlaw, a fifth-round pick in 2019 who landed on the top-101 list after his best year as a pro. Greenlaw and Fred Warner are by far the best linebacker duo in the NFL, and Greenlaw’s coverage reach helps the 49ers control center field better than any other team. Turning late-round picks into top 101 players will keep San Francisco competitive better than perhaps any other facet of their team building.
Aside from those two, the usual stars for the 49ers shone this year and made the top 101. Not on the list was All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga, who had a breakthrough season two. Jimmie Ward also didn’t make the list after switching from free safety to nickel cornerback. Neither Brandon Aiyuk nor Deebo Samuel made the cut.
Here’s a quick look at who made the PFF Top 101:
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Bosa led the NFL in sacks and was named Defensive Player of the Year, but still finished behind Browns DE Myles Garrett (No. 6) and Cowboys LB Micah Parsons (No. 5).
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While Williams was the third offensive lineman on the list, he was the top left tackle. At 34, he remains one of the most dominant players in the NFL.
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The 49ers were criticized by some for trading so much draft capital for an expensive runback in 2022, but McCaffrey proved to be much more valuable than a typical RB. Despite playing in just 11 games for San Francisco, he led the team in touchdowns and scrimmage yards, and missed George Kittle’s team lead in touchdowns.
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Warner is redefining the linebacker position in the NFL. His ability to cover virtually any player who runs down the middle of the field changes the way the 49ers can play on defense and changes the way offenses have to work.
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Kittle is taking on a new role as the 49ers rely on him less for passing volume and more as a big play machine and red-zone weapon. His 11 touchdowns this season have nearly doubled his previous career high as he continues his run as one of the elite blocking TEs in the league.
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San Francisco needed a No. 1 corner and got one with Ward. He was excellent in every way. Without him, the 49ers’ secondary school might have been shaky enough to keep them out of a playoff run.
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Greenlaw went from good player to excellent player in his fourth NFL season. He surpassed the two-year extension he signed prior to the season, and his elevated game was a major factor in the 49ers producing the NFL’s best defense.
