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Ranking the 49ers’ top 25 players: Nos. 5-1

By

Jacob Hutchinson

/

© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the final countdown. The moment almost none of you have been waiting for. Without further ado, here are the 49ers’ top five players.

5. Fred Warner

A great part of me wants to give Warner the nod over Sherman, and by season’s end, I have little doubt he’ll be widely viewed as one of the NFL’s elite middle linebackers. In truth, he’s already there. He is the quarterback of the 49ers’ defense and does just about everything you want a prototypical modern linebacker to do.

His understanding of the defense and growth in vocal confidence allows him to make identifications and relay them to the rest of the defense. He’s staunch in the run game and one of the league’s dominant pass defending linebackers. His speed in coverage, length, flexibility and ability to flip his hips and close windows aggressively allows him to cover a monumental amount of ground in short order. If he’s not a Pro Bowler or in consideration for an All-Pro team this year, he will be by year four.

4. Richard Sherman

Sherman and Warner was tight, but while Sherman did get beaten badly by Sammy Watkins in the Super Bowl and had a few questionable moments down the stretch, he was also playing through injuries. To be a dominant corner throughout the regular season and playoffs at age 31, while injured, is the type of greatness Sherman has made us take for granted.

Even though his speed has declined, Sherman’s intelligence and persistent study of the game will ensure he’s one of the game’s elite for the remaining years of his career, even if he doesn’t remain at corner. His understanding of route stems, and how to predict where a receiver will be are why he has 39 career interceptions, and why he’s still among the NFL’s elite.

3. Trent Williams

Williams is an upgrade from Joe Staley, and he’s more than likely a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee. The fact that he was able to save his body a year of wear and tear should be viewed as a monumental bonus for the 49ers, who effectively stole him away from the Redskins.

His size, paired with his athleticism and a knowledge for the game which he said has allowed him to be able to rely less on that athleticism, are why he flattens opposing rushers game after game. He did it to Chandler Jones, Joey Bosa and countless others, and when he does get beaten, he won’t let it happen the same way again. Oh, and he’s an absolute mauler in the run game.

2. Nick Bosa

Bosa’s rookie year exceeded the understandably massive expectations which were set for him. He’s already one of the top 25 players in the NFL by just about any measure, and he told KNBR he’s working on two moves this summer with his brother, Joey: a cross-chop and spin move.

He was taught by the legendary defensive line sage Larry Johnson at Ohio State who gave him a foundation of hand swipe and speed-to-power rushes that made him a persistent menace to opposing defenses. His natural athleticism and the pliability he worked on before his rookie year helped him become just as effective in the run game. His 13.0 total sacks (4.0 in the playoffs) will probably be reached in the regular season next year, and it’s hard to see how he’s not an All-Pro.

1. George Kittle

It’s hard to argue that Kittle is anything other than a top-five player in the NFL. Outside of Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Donald, the conversation gets tricky. Is Stephon Gilmore up there? Christian McCaffrey? Quenton Nelson? Julio Jones? I’d argue Kittle is No. 3, behind Mahomes and Donald.

He’s arguably the best run-blocking and receiving tight end in the NFL, and there isn’t anyone who does both as effectively as him. The offense revolves around his presence, and even though he only had five touchdowns last season, he had three removed by penalties, and at least a couple more from throws which Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t make. The 49ers probably aren’t a playoff team without him. The only other player who you can say that for is Bosa. It’s also why the negotiations for a monumental contract extension aren’t going to be straightforward, and will probably make fans sweat more than they’d like.

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