The 5 Best Players on the 49ers Roster in 2023
This 49ers roster is loaded from top to bottom. Whether it’s offensive line, tight end or even the secondary, this team has an amazing player at nearly every position. So where do some of your favorites rank? Who’s playing the best in 2023? Is Christian McCaffrey number one?
5. Brandon Aiyuk
To all of you that see Aiyuk on here and are asking yourself, “Where’s Deebo Samuel? How’s Deebo not on this list but Aiyuk is?” take a chill pill and breathe. I believe that Deebo is a better receiver than Aiyuk is, but this is based on performance this year and Aiyuk is having a better year. Aiyuk has one less game than Deebo, but has 150 more receiving yard and 1 more receiving touchdown. He’s averaging 90 yards a game to Deebo’s 50, and is an incredible big receiver. No matter the play, Aiyuk is perfect for the Niners. He has quick twitch muscles and runs a 4.50 40 time. Aiyuk can beat corners in man coverage with ease. He can use his height to catch deep balls and bounce over corners. There isn’t a play the Niners run where Brandon Aiyuk is a liability, he can get the ball nearly every play and make it work.
4. Nick Bosa
Yes I know, we’re going 2/2 on wild selections but hear me out before you judge too hard. Bosa is an animal and the fact he’s at No. 4 should say something about the talent on this team. Nick Bosa is arguably the best edge rusher in the league today, and by the end of the year he could easily win DPOY again. But, we need to establish that he didn’t practice in the offseason which has clearly affected his play. Bosa is getting constant pressure from offensive linemen which is certainly making his stats worse and his teammates stats better. Two other defensive linemen have 1 more sack than Bosa, the fear of letting Bosa to the QB is giving those guys their chance to shine. Bosa leads the Niners in TFL’s at 5 and QB hits at 16. When he’s at his best he’s easily the best player on the defensive side of the ball. If Bosa starts to get those sack numbers up, he’s easily in the Top 2-3.
3. Fred Warner
What can be said about Fred Warner that hasn’t been said already? He’s the best linebacker in football. He’s a massive safety, he reads the QB, hits harder than most lineman, and is the QB of that defense. Warner is tied for most interceptions with 2 and has a forced fumble. This guy is a ball of lightning on the field. You’ll see him on the opposite side of the play, and somehow he’ll get over to the ball and be the guy that makes the tackle. It doesn’t make sense how he moves around the field at the pace he does. He leads the team in tackles and is a player that every coach wants, but only Kyle Shanahan is lucky to have.
2. Christian McCaffrey
Well, the question has been answered -- he’s not No. 1. And honestly I’m shocked he isn’t. Christian McCaffrey is the best two-way RB the league has ever seen. He currently has the second highest receptions on this team. Yes that stat is correct, he has more catches then Deebo and Kittle. If you take every pass catcher not named Aiyuk, Deebo, or Kittle, they only have 2 more catches than CMC. McCaffrey is the weapon in this offense. He’s had a touchdown every game of this year, talk about a spark plug. The 49ers acquisition of him was the best thing that could’ve happened to them. They found the guy that can find any gap in a defense, and can get open more than most receivers. He’s the perfect dink and dunk guy for this offense and Brock Purdy.
1. Trent Williams
It’s time to give the offensive line some love. The offensive line this year is tragic except for big No. 71. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer and is arguably the best LT the game has ever had. Over the past 3 seasons, he’s been the No. 1 ranked offensive lineman. That level of dominance is unheard of. In today's game where things are constantly changing and new and better players come every year, he is a constant. If Trent wasn’t on the Niners, this team is so much worse. Their pass and run blocking would be near the bottom of the league, but with Trent it makes them adequate. If Trent decided to retire next year, this team's run could come to an end. As long as he’s on this team, they will continue to be contenders, and that’s why he’s No. 1.
