© San Francisco 49ers | 2020 Aug 25
George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Richard Sherman and Arik Armstead were the four members of the 49ers named to ESPN’s list of the top 100 NFL players ahead of the 2020 regular season.
Kittle was selected ninth overall, the highest for any NFL tight end, and with only two wide receivers ranked ahead of him in Michael Thomas and DeAndre Hopkins ranked fifth and eighth respectively. Bosa was the other 49er to make the top 20 at No. 15, the second highest ranked defensive end in football behind Myles Garrett at No. 12.
Rounding out the rest of the list is Richard Sherman at No. 67 and Arik Armstead at No. 93, both of whom were not included in last year’s top 100. DeForest Buckner, who the 49ers traded to the Colts this offseason, made the list at No. 51.
Among the biggest snubs are quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who was ranked No. 43 on the NFL Top 100 as chosen by other NFL players. Also on that list was middle linebacker Fred Warner at No. 70. Yet perhaps the most glaring omission is Trent Williams, arguably the best left tackle in all of football. Williams sat out all of last season with Washington, but expect him to be back on this list next year if he can remain healthy.
Here’s the Top 10:
10. Deshaun Watson
9. George Kittle
8. DeAndre Hopkins
7. Stephon Gilmore
6. Christian McCaffrey
5. Michael Thomas
4. Russell Wilson
3. Lamar Jackson
2. Aaron Donald
1. Patrick Mahomes
