49ers' 5 best candidates to earn first Pro Bowl nod in 2023

The 49ers have become regular major contributors to the Pro Bowl in recent years, and these five players could earn their first honors.

You might here this a time or two on this website, but the San Francisco 49ers are currently a good team. And good teams are comprised of good players.

Good players typically wind up getting considered for the Pro Bowl.

Last season, the Niners' usual cast of Pro Bowl-caliber players made it to the exhibition game, which isn't quite what it used to be (thank goodness), although second-year safety Talanoa Hufanga was a new addition amid his first-team All-Pro campaign.

The list of San Francisco Pro Bowlers was as such:

• FB Kyle Juszczyk
• TE George Kittle
• OT Trent Williams
• DE Nick Bosa
• LB Fred Warner
• S Talanoa Hufanga

Barring injury, it's hard to envision any of those players not making the Pro Bowl again this year, and it's likely we'll see some returnees from the 49ers roster, such as wide receiver Deebo Samuel and running back Christian McCaffrey.

However, what if there are some first-time Pro Bowlers from the Niners after this upcoming season? Who might they be?

Here are our five best candidates.

49ers Pro Bowl candidate No. 5: Charvarius Ward

San Francisco's reinforced defensive line is going to make the secondary's job so much easier.

As such, cornerback Charvarius Ward might not have to be a true shutdown corner. But, even when opposing teams target him, he'll respond accordingly.

A season ago, Ward rewarded the 49ers for their free-agent investment in him by forcing opposing quarterbacks to post a passer rating of just 82.4 when targeting him. Sure, he had just one interception, and fans love INTs when voting for their favorite Pro Bowl candidates.

However, Ward truly played the role of a No. 1 cornerback on a Super Bowl-caliber roster. Plus, having not made the Pro Bowl yet in each of his five seasons at the pro level, it's about time he's rewarded with the accolade.