The San Francisco 49ers once again demonstrated the extraordinary depth and elite top-end talent that has defined the Kyle Shanahan era, placing five standout players on Pro Football Focus’ prestigious Top 101 list for the 2025 season.

The annual list evaluates players strictly on performance rather than reputation or positional bias, making the recognition especially meaningful for a franchise that has consistently leaned on star play at key moments throughout its postseason pushes.

San Francisco’s representation spans multiple positions and both sides of the ball, reinforcing the idea that the 49ers’ championship window remains wide open due to their top-tier roster, efficient coaching, and consistently high individual performances.

Leading the group is veteran left tackle Trent Williams, who earned the No. 20 ranking and continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest offensive linemen of his generation.

Even deep into his career, Williams maintained All-Pro dominance, combining rare athleticism, power, and technique to neutralize some of the league’s best edge rushers—a cornerstone trait that has protected the 49ers’ offensive structure for years.

His ability to erase defenders in pass protection and create massive lanes in the run game has remained essential to the unit’s identity, particularly in an offense built around timing, precision, and versatility.

Checking in at No. 27 is star tight end George Kittle, long regarded as the most complete tight end in football and a pillar of San Francisco’s offensive engine due to his unmatched combination of toughness, athleticism, and leadership.

Kittle delivered yet another all-around season defined by explosive yards-after-catch plays, elite run blocking, and an ability to seamlessly shift between receiving weapon and offensive-line extension depending on game plan and situation.

His physical style remains the emotional heartbeat of the offense, and his influence extends beyond the stat sheet as he continues to elevate teammates with tempo-setting energy and unselfish execution in Shanahan’s complex system.

Ranked No. 54 is superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, who once again provided the versatility, explosiveness, and consistency that make him one of the league’s most difficult matchups for defensive coordinators.

McCaffrey’s dual-threat ability forces opponents into unfavorable coverages, constantly stretching defenses horizontally and vertically while enabling Shanahan to build an offense around pre-snap motion, misdirection, and precision in short-area spacing.

Even in games where opponents sell out to contain him, McCaffrey remains highly productive, providing steady chain-moving plays, high-efficiency touches, and the type of reliability that stabilizes an offense through injuries, adversity, and defensive adjustments.

Perhaps the most surprising inclusion is right tackle Colton McKivitz, who earned the No. 63 ranking after delivering the most complete season of his career and transforming himself from a developmental depth piece into a dependable full-time starter.

McKivitz has often been overshadowed by his more decorated teammates, but his consistency in pass sets, improved footwork, and ability to anchor against power rushers helped reinforce a line that has navigated injuries and shifting personnel.

His emergence as a reliable protector has reduced pressure on Brock Purdy and allowed Shanahan to maintain offensive balance even when opponents attempt to disrupt blocking schemes with simulated pressures and disguised fronts.

Rounding out the 49ers’ honorees is quarterback Brock Purdy at No. 81, whose steady command of the offense and continued efficiency further solidified his status as the ideal signal-caller for Shanahan’s intricately structured system.

Purdy’s ranking reflects his exceptional poise, decision-making, and accuracy, especially in high-pressure moments where he consistently delivered smart reads, controlled pocket movement, and timely distribution to San Francisco’s arsenal of playmakers.

While the offense undeniably benefits from stars like McCaffrey, Kittle, and Deebo Samuel, Purdy’s calm presence and mastery of pre-snap identification have enabled the unit to stay balanced between explosives, rhythm throws, and sustained drives.

Even in a league increasingly defined by big-arm quarterbacks and off-script heroes, Purdy’s strengths—efficiency, anticipation, and situational intelligence—remain the exact qualities Shanahan prioritizes in his scheme.

San Francisco’s five selections not only highlight individual excellence but also showcase the organizational philosophy built around layered depth, internal development, and refined attention to detail both in coaching and roster construction.

The combination of elite veterans and ascending contributors has carried the 49ers through injuries, fluctuating game environments, and one of the league’s most competitive NFC landscapes.

Williams’ continued dominance reinforces the stability of the offensive line, while Kittle’s durability and selflessness continue to hold together the system’s core principles of physicality and deception.

McCaffrey remains the engine of the attack, creating the mismatches that unlock Shanahan’s creativity, while McKivitz’s rise into a dependable starter strengthens the team’s long-term offensive infrastructure.

And with Purdy’s growth into a consistently efficient quarterback, the 49ers retain the essential ingredient of a true contender: stability and trust at the most important position on the field.

If the 2025 season’s performances are any indication, the 49ers’ foundation remains one of the strongest in the NFL as they enter the 2026 campaign, aiming once again to chase a Lombardi Trophy with a core that embodies discipline, resilience, and elite execution.

As offseason preparation unfolds, the presence of five players among PFF’s Top 101 underscores both the talent level and the organizational confidence that continues to define the San Francisco franchise, setting the stage for another championship pursuit.