– 49ers offensive linemen take 4 of 5 spots: Only the Cardinals’ Hjalte Froholt prevented a clear sweep.
– Competition on the quarterback spot is heating up: The NFC West options three of the top-10 quarterbacks in PFF passing grade, though just one can declare the crown.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all of our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer, and extra. Sign up now!
Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
We’re on the midway mark (or close to sufficient) of the season, so PFF will dive into every division and current the very best gamers at each place so far. After diving into the AFC, we’ll spherical issues out with the NFC West, the place the San Francisco 49ers subject 10 choices.
QUARTERBACK: Brock Purdy, 49ers
Three top-10 ranked quarterbacks hail from the West, however Purdy holds off a robust problem from Kyler Murray and Geno Smith to safe the nod with an 83.2 general grade. You might make a robust case for any of the three, although.
RUNNING BACK: James Conner, Cardinals
Conner has been leaving defenders on the bottom all yr, main the best way with 47 compelled missed tackles as only a rusher. This is his second straight season recording an 81.0-plus general grade.
WIDE RECEIVER: Deebo Samuel, 49ers; Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals; D.Okay. Metcalf, Seahawks
You might go any variety of methods right here, however in the end we landed on consistency being key. Despite some fumble issues, D.Okay. Metcalf makes the staff whereas Samuel has simply been a distinction maker when on the sphere. The third spot was more durable. Jauan Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett had been all contenders, however in the end we landed on Harrison Jr, who has posted a 78.1 receiving grade for the burgeoning Cardinals.
TIGHT END: George Kittle, 49ers
Shouldn’t he have began to decelerate by now? Kittle has been glorious which is dangerous information for opposing defenses. His 88.5 general grade is his highest since 2021. That’s no shade to Trey McBride, who has impressed with a 79.5 general mark.
LEFT TACKLE: Trent Williams, 49ers
It was a detailed run race right here with Charles Cross pushing Williams all the best way. In reality, Cross has an general greater grade at 84.6, however the superior work of Williams in cross professional (85.9 grade) means he’s the choice. By the tip of the season, the play of Paris Johnson might flip this right into a three-way struggle.
LEFT GUARD: Aaron Banks, 49ers
Banks has the very best run-blocking grade of all guards within the division (74.0), nearly doing sufficient within the course of to complete above his Cardinal counterpart in Evan Brown.
CENTER: Hjalte Froholdt, Cardinals
The solely non-49er on the road, Froholdt can be the one heart within the division to grade above 70.0 general. He’s recorded a glowing 98.1 pass-blocking effectivity.
RIGHT GUARD: Dominick Puni, 49ers
Third-round choice Puni has confirmed a right away impression participant for the 49ers. He’s not solely began, however appeared the a part of an All-Pro. He’s at the moment the highest-ranked guard within the division with a 76.1 general grade.
RIGHT TACKLE: Colton McKivitz, 49ers
There isn’t practically as a lot competitors at proper deal with as there’s on the left aspect, however McKivitz will get the nod together with his improved efficiency this yr. His general grade has jumped from 65.2 to 72.0.
EDGE DEFENDER: Nick Bosa, 49ers, Jared Verse, Rams
With Aidan Hutchinson down, Bosa is now one of many favorites to guide the league in pressures. But we should not depend out the bettering Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Verse, who’s simply seven behind him at 39 and taking part in exceptionally effectively.
DEFENSIVE INTERIOR: Leonard Williams, Seahawks; Jarran Reed, Seahawks
This just isn’t a division stacked with manufacturing on the inside defensive position spot. Only two guys (Williams and Reed) have graded above 70.0 this yr, and so they simply so occur to be teammates.
LINEBACKER: Fred Warner, 49ers; Mack Wilson Sr., Cardinals
Warner stays the very best linebacker within the league together with his 91.6 general grade the very best on the place. He’s a persistently simple choice when he performs in addition to he does. No different linebacker within the NFC West has a grade above 70.0 general, so it is a next-best choice for Mack Wilson. Regardless, every of the groups shall be searching for extra from the spot.
CORNERBACK: Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks; Garrett Williams, Cardinals; Deommodore Lenoir, 49ers
Williams is the one every-down participant to grade above 70.0 general, which tells you it is a division that’s struggling at nook. Witherspoon squeezes in with some stellar work in run assist (86.2 grade), whereas Lenoir wins the third spot together with his superior protection grade (71.5).
SAFETY: Julian Love, Seahawks; Budda Baker, Cardinals
Love will get in on the energy of his work in protection (71.4), whereas Baker is a reasonably snug choice together with his all-around sport. The Cardinals veteran has recorded a 70.5 general grade.
KICKER: Chad Ryland, Cardinals
PUNTER: Michael Dickson, Seahawks
KICK RETURNER: Laviska Shenault, Seahawks
SPECIAL TEAMS: Dee Williams, Seahawks
Michael Hoecht deserves a point out together with his work on the Rams’ subject aim unit, however Dee Williams (85.7 particular groups grade) prevents Shenault from getting choices as each a particular teamer and a returner.