Five most valuable people for San Francisco 49ers in 2024

The San Francisco 49ers have consistently been one of the best teams in the NFL and are coming off a second trip to the Super Bowl in the past five years. This core, however, is still missing the championship to validate all of its success. The team has the roster to get back this season and have one of the most star-laden teams in the league.

Here are the most valuable 49ers for the 2024 season.

5. Edge-rusher Nick Bosa

As good as the 49ers defense is, their pass-rush took a little bit of a step backwards in 2023 and needed to be completely re-worked this offseason (and it was). But as long as Bosa is in the lineup, the 49ers know they are going to have one of the most impactful pass-rushers in football and one of the league's most disruptive forces. His 10.5 sacks in 2023 might have been a low number for him, but he still wins the majority of his pass-rushes and is constantly in the backfield causing chaos.

4. Offensive tackle Trent Williams

Williams is one of the 49ers' two key offensive players currently holding out in the hopes of getting a new contract, joining star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. While Aiyuk's future remains in doubt as trade rumors continue to linger, Williams will eventually be lining up on the left side of the 49ers offensive line. And they need him. He is not only their best offensive lineman, he is one of the best offensive lineman — and players — in the entire NFL. If the 49ers have a weakness anywhere on their roster it is on the line and they need a healthy — and happy — Williams protecting quarterback Brock Purdy and opening up running lanes.

3. General manager John Lynch

Lynch has done a mostly outstanding job over the years in assembling one of the NFL's best and deepest rosters. He is going to earn his money in the coming weeks as he tries to juggle the contract negotiations with Williams and Aiyuk while also weighing options with the latter. How he does handle that duo will go a long way toward determining how far the 49ers can go.

2. Quarterback Brock Purdy

Whether or not Purdy is one of the NFL's best quarterbacks is still very much up for debate. But there is no denying his value to the team on multiple levels. Whether he is an elite player or not, he is still at the very least a top-half of the league starting quarterback and good enough to get his team into Super Bowl contention. He does that while playing on a modest four-year, $3.7 million contract — because he was not selected until the end of the seventh round — making him one of the biggest salary-cap bargains in the league. That low cost has enabled the 49ers to load up around him and while he is due for a major raise in the near future he is still a steal for this season.

1. Running back Christian McCaffrey

The 49ers offense is loaded with impact players, all of whom are essential parts of the machine. But McCaffrey might be the one player that really makes the whole thing run because of his versatility and overall impact, as well as the fact he is a threat to score a touchdown every time he has the football in his hands. He is coming off a 2023 season that saw him win the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year Award, lead the league in rushing (1,459 yards), yards from scrimmage (2,023) and total touchdowns (21). He is a force and one of the best players in the league.