Ranking the 49ers: Armstead cracks the top 5 but the top player is in his own league
In this three-part series, we’re offering our rankings of the top 15 players on the 49ers roster. This list aims to provide a summation of talent, track record and value into the future. The first five players appeared online Thursday morning and the second five published Friday. With apologies to recent first-round draft picks Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk, only players that have played NFL snaps qualify.
No. 5: Arik Armstead, DL
What a rise for the Elk Grove native over the past year. Last offseason it was fair to question the 49ers’ decision to pick up Armstead’s fifth-year option, given he had just nine sacks combined and dealt with availability issues during his first four seasons. But Armstead put it all together in a contract year in 2019, leading San Francisco’s imposing defensive line with 10 sacks while showing off his versatility and all-around skill set. If there are weaknesses to Armstead’s game, they weren’t apparent during San Francisco’s Super Bowl sprint. He was excellent against the run at defensive end and was the most prolific pass rusher of a standout group when he kicked inside to tackle. The 49ers gave Armstead a five-year, $85 million contract in March hoping he can replicate his breakthrough season. The knock on the 26-year-old: he’s only had one productive campaign as a pass rusher before earning the new deal. That criticism would subside if he does it again in 2020 while his good friend and former line mate DeForest Buckner plays for the Indianapolis Colts.
No. 4: Trent Williams, LT
There’s no doubt losing Joe Staley to retirement is a big blow to an organization that leaned on his leadership while making its series of coaching changes during his career. But being able to replace Staley with Williams is a good consolation prize. Williams, at his best, may be even better than Staley between the lines. He’s younger, 31, and more fresh after sitting out last season because of the long standing dispute with Washington over his contract status and the way he was handled by the medical staff. There’s also familiarity. He was also the fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft when Kyle Shanahan was his offensive coordinator. How good is Williams? He was named to seven straight Pro Bowls from 2012 to 2018. During his last two years he allowed one sack and 11 quarterback hits over 876 pass blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. As new teammate Mike McGlinchey put it, “We replaced one of the best left tackles in the NFL with another one of the best left tackles in the NFL.” Though Williams will have to shake the rust after not playing in 2019, his offseason workouts indicate he’s on his way.
No. 3: Richard Sherman, CB
Tell Sherman he won’t be the same player in his 30s. Or he’ll fall off a cliff after tearing his Achilles in 2017. He’ll listen to you, maniacally use it as fuel and lead the NFL’s best pass defense, statistically, since 2009. The 32-year-old was stellar in 2019, receiving Pro Football Focus’ highest coverage grade among cornerbacks after being another year removed from an injury that led to his departure from the Seahawks. He allowed a 46.8 passer rating when targeted and had two interceptions in the playoffs, including the game-sealer against Aaron Rodgers in the NFC title game. He was named a second-team All-Pro and led cornerbacks in Pro Bowl voting. Sherman for the year allowed 227 yards and a 52.9 percent completion rate when targeted, according to PFF. The future Hall of Famer could cement his candidacy with another season like he had in 2019. Though that becomes more difficult as he wades through the back 9 of his career.
No. 2: Nick Bosa, DE
The Defensive Rookie of the Year had 14 more pressures than any other rookie edge defender PFF has tracked since 2006. And Bosa has the second- or third-best odds for Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, depending where you look, with Aaron Donald holding the top spot. Bosa answered one of his biggest questions in 2019, durability, by playing in all 19 games and being arguably the 49ers’ best player during the Super Bowl while recording 10 hurries and a strip sack of Patrick Mahomes. His nine sacks during the regular season were third-best for a rookie in team history behind Dana Stubblefield (10.5, 1993) and Aldon Smith (14.0, 2011). The former second-overall pick is spending the offseason with brother Joey in their home state of Florida. It’s not a stretch to say those workouts have been competitive, as the Bosas look to become the top defensive ends in the NFL.
No. 1: George Kittle, TE
Kittle is the only 2019 first-team All-Pro on this list. The first play that comes to mind when thinking about last regular season is Kittle carrying three Saints defenders into game-winning field range to convert a fourth down. He’s arguably the best blocking tight end in football while also leading all NFL pass catchers in yards per route run, according to Pro Football Focus. His 3.12 was better than Michael Thomas (2.88), Stefon Diggs (2.69) and Julio Jones (2.44). Kittle during his three seasons has become a generational fan favorite for his production and personality, and gets the top spot on this list because he would be the most difficult player to replace on the roster. Kittle’s skill set is invaluable to the engine of Shanahan’s offense, the outside zone running game and resulting play action. And he’s missed just three games in three seasons despite being perpetually injured, many of which aren’t listed on the weekly report. Kittle is the biggest star on the team and the 49ers’ best player heading into 2020.
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 8:42 AM.