Which stars made PFF's top 49ers team of the past 20 years
· Yahoo Sports
The San Francisco 49ers have had a lot of talent over the years, but how would a roster look if it were built with only the best players from the franchise since 2006?
Pro Football Focus built an all-49ers roster based on PFF grades from the past 20 seasons, adjusted by season. PFF also only looked at a player's five best seasons during those 20 years and excluded seasons with an overall PFF grade below 60.0 to ensure weak outlier seasons didn't negatively affect normally good players. All years were capped at a 16-game equivalent season, so some included postseason performances.
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Here's who made a 24-man roster (12 on offense and 12 on defense):
- QB: Brock Purdy (2022-2025)
- HB: Christian McCaffrey (2022-2025)
- FB: Kyle Juszczyk (2017-2025)
- WR: Brandon Aiyuk (2020-2024)
- WR: Michael Crabtree (2009-2014)
- Slot WR: Deebo Samuel (2019-2024)
- TE: George Kittle (2017-2025)
- LT: Trent Williams (2020-2025)
- LG: Mike Iupati (2010-2014)
- C: Jake Brendel (2021-2025)
- RG: Dominick Puni (2024-2025)
- RT: Joe Staley (2007-2019)
- DI: Justin Smith (2008-2014)
- DI: Arik Armstead (2015-2023)
- NT: Aubrayo Franklin (2007-2010)
- ED: Nick Bosa (2019-2025)
- ED: Aldon Smith (2011-2014)
- LB: Patrick Willis (2007-2014)
- LB: Fred Warner (2018-2025)
- CB: Tarell Brown (2007-2013)
- CB: Charvarius Ward (2022-2024)
- Slot CB: Nate Clements (2007-2010)
- S: Jimmie Ward (2014-2022)
- S: Michael Lewis (2007-2010)
Unsurprisingly, more than half (14) played the majority of their five seasons in the Kyle Shanahan era (2017-present). That period has been the most productive for the 49ers in the past 20 seasons, as Shanahan has taken San Francisco to the playoffs in five of his nine years, including three NFC championships and two Super Bowls.
Six others during the Jim Harbaugh years (2011-2014), while Joe Staley traversed multiple eras in team history.
Some of the most notable offensive exclusions include running back Frank Gore and tight end Vernon Davis. The Defense had even more shocking omissions, including defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Dre Greenlaw, safeties Talanoa Hufanga, Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner, as well as cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Tramaine Brock Sr., K'Waun Williams and Walt Harris.
The number of additional players who could have made this list is a testament to the elite rosters the 49ers have had in the past two decades.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: PFF's all-49ers team of the past 20 years