49ers tied with Eagles for most top-10 players in ESPN poll
If you needed any reminder as to the sheer star power running through the 49ers roster, ESPN's ranking of the top 10 players at each offensive and defensive position provided it in emphatic fashion. League executives, coaches, scouts and players were polled to help compile the rankings, which made for very pleasant reading for the […]
If you needed any reminder as to the sheer star power running through the 49ers roster, ESPN's ranking of the top 10 players at each offensive and defensive position provided it in emphatic fashion.
League executives, coaches, scouts and players were polled to help compile the rankings, which made for very pleasant reading for the 49ers.
A total of eight 49ers made the top 10 at their respective positions. A tally matched, fittingly, by only one other team, the Eagles.
San Francisco and Philadelphia having the most players on the list speaks to the parity between the two teams that the 49ers feel would have been evident in the NFC Championship Game had Brock Purdy not torn an elbow ligament.
Three 49ers were listed as the best at their position, with Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Trent Williams all earning No. 1 rankings. Christian McCaffrey was the second-ranked running back behind Nick Chubb, and George Kittle trailed only Travis Kelce at the tight end spot.
Javon Hargave, signed in free agency from the Eagles, was fifth among defensive tackles.
With that kind of collection of elite talent, it is no surprise San Francisco has continually made it deep into the postseason in recent years, and that the 49ers are seen has having a quarterback-proof team able of contending regardless of who is under center.
The Conference Championship game proved there is a limit to that. San Francisco couldn't get much going against the Eagles with Josh Johnson at quarterback before he was concussed to leave the Niners without a healthy signal-caller.
Having significantly impressed down the stretch last year, the conventional wisdom is that the 49ers will be best-placed to challenge for the Lombardi Trophy with Purdy as their quarterback.
But if the 49ers can get through the 2023 season without losing all their quarterbacks, then the caliber of a roster that dominated the ESPN poll should keep the team performing at a high enough level to contend regardless of whether it is Purdy, Trey Lance or Sam Darnold under center.
49ers designate rookie cornerback Darrell Luter Jr as PUP
An early blow to their cornerback depth.
Featured Image Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
