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The San Francisco 49ers have the luxury of rostering several star players. Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner can all make a case to be the best in the league at their positions.
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The one problem for this group has been health. Thankfully, that seems to be turning around, as Kittle is the only player on that list who might not be able to play in Week 1.
While still elite, the 49ers’ core is definitely aging. Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports recently compiled a top 30 list of the best players in the league who are 30 or older. To no surprise, the 49ers had several entrants on the list.
McCaffrey, Kittle, Williams, and Mike Evans Crack Top 30 List
The criterion for this list is you have to be 30 or older by the time the Week 1 games kick off. This means Warner just missed the cut, as he won’t be 30 until November. Bosa also misses the cut as he’s about to turn 29.
The 49ers still had four selections, with McCaffrey, Kittle, Williams, and Mike Evans, all making it. Evans is at No. 30, Kittle is at No. 14, McCaffrey is at No. 6, and Williams is at No. 4. Notably, McCaffrey, Kittle, and Williams are all the highest-ranked at their respective positions.
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McCaffrey is coming off one of his best seasons. The running back rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns and also caught 102 passes for 924 yards and seven more scores. Evans is entering his first season with the 49ers after spending the first decade-plus of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Williams remains remarkably consistent despite approaching 40. No offensive tackle in NFL history has more Pro Bowl selections than Williams and he had the third-best PFF grade out of all offensive tackles in 2025.
Kittle is a huge X-factor in 2026. The tight end tore his Achilles at the end of 2025, and he’s working diligently to return in 2026. There’s no denying the 49ers’ offense is still much better when Kittle is out there, as the tight end has seven Pro Bowl bids on his resume.
It’s not just the older guys who are relied upon in San Francisco, though. Quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling are crucial to the offense. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa will be pivotal on defense.
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If this team stays healthy, they will be true contenders in 2026.
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This story was originally published August 19, 2026 at 11:50 AM.