San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 25 players for 2018

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 26
Next
San Francisco 49ers top 25 players 2018
San Francisco 49ers top 25 players 2018 /

Jimmy Garoppolo’s addition transformed the San Francisco 49ers into a playoff contender, but the Niners’ 2018 fate also rests on the shoulders of a number of additional key players. If the 49ers expect a playoff run this season, they will need significant contributions from these 25 players.

The signing of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo — who raised all tides in 2017 — was an important step in the San Francisco 49ers’ hopeful return to dominance, but the team also needed to provide their franchise QB with a talented supporting cast for a potential playoff run.

Over the past two offseasons, 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan strived to create the nucleus of a high-caliber team, with the ability to compete in a changing NFC West division.

In order for the San Francisco 49ers to become one of the NFL’s top teams this season, they will need the following players to play at a high level.

While the following members of the team aren’t necessarily the best players on the 49ers’ roster — although many of them are — these are the 49ers’ 25 most important players for the 2018 season.