Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy. We all know the big names making it to Super Bowl LVIII, but unless you’ve been following these teams all season, you probably don’t know about the experienced players who could have a big impact on the game .
SB Nation selected 40 players from the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers and ranked the players he thought would have the biggest impact on the game. Think of this as your chance to meet key linemen and defensive players who could become Super Bowl heroes like David Tyree.
- Jake Brendel, C, San Francisco 49ers:
Brendel represents a pretty good, if not somewhat underrated, interior offense for the Niners, which includes himself, Aaron Banks, and his replacement John. Also includes Feliciano – KA
- Drew Tranquil, LB, Kansas City Chiefs:
Drew Tranquill was arguably the best player on the field when Kansas City’s defense was in action during the AFC Championship Game. Given the weapons the San Francisco 49ers are bringing to the Super Bowl and how often the team throws in bigger personnel packages, Tranquill could be a big factor in Sunday’s Super Bowl. -MS
- Mitch Wishnowski, P, San Francisco 49ers:
There’s a serious argument that Tommy Townsend of the Chiefs is the better of the two Super Bowl teams, but Wisznovski has a chance to make a bigger impact in the game itself. The Chiefs offense is going to bite, and I’m sure they’ll find a way. But if this turns into a defensive battle, which is entirely possible, Wisznovski’s directional strength could be key in the battle for field position. – J.D.
- Leo Chenal, LB, Kansas City Chiefs:
The Chiefs’ lineback unit is deep and extremely talented, and Chenal is the youngest among them. He is a downhill hammer against the run and also functions as a very effective blitzer, allowing the Chiefs to retain their fundamental personnel very effectively. Shanahan’s offensive line features 21 players, and Chenal is expected to play a big role in deciding Sunday’s game. -yes
- Willie Gay, LB, Kansas City Chiefs:
Gay may not be able to play in the Super Bowl due to injury, but he is a valuable addition to the Chiefs’ defense. If Gay can play, his ability to analyze plays and react quickly will come in handy. Given Kyle Shanahan’s creative offense, it will be important for Kansas City’s linebackers to stay true to their keys and not get too distracted by “eye candy.” -JM
- Jake Moody, K, San Francisco 49ers:
Kickers are important. But most of the time, the 49ers’ offense and defense can complement each other so well that they can beat opponents by a wide margin, so the kicker is not really expected to make the game-clinching kick in the final seconds. yeah. But they’re playing the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, and there’s no way Patrick Mahomes and company are going to lose without this being the sweatiest game imaginable. Moody may have to take control in the most stressful situation he has ever faced.
- Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers:
How did the WR3 end up on this list with just 19 catches this season? He’s the NFL’s equivalent of the NBA’s “glue.” Although his performance is not spectacular, he contributes to the team’s victory. Approximately 40 percent of his 78 career receptions were third-down conversions, earning him the nickname “Third-and-Jawan.” Jennings is really talented as a blocker and he’s as mean and tough as anyone, which makes him a fan favorite. – M.A.
- Harrison Butker, K, Kansas City Chiefs:
Kickers are humans too! Butker kicked the game-winning field goals in last season’s AFC Championship and Super Bowl and has been outstanding this season. Including the playoffs, he is 40/42 on field goal attempts and a perfect 45/45 on PATs. Butker and Dallas Cowboys rookie Brandon Aubrey were the only complete kickers to go over 40 yards all season. When it comes to kickers in this game, Butker should have a clear lead over 49ers rookie Jake Moody. – M.A.
- Justin Reid, S, Kansas City Chiefs:
He was a standout free agent who signed with Kansas City in 2022 after being acquired from the Houston Texans. He fits perfectly into the Chiefs’ defense and is a strong back-end presence. The Stanford product is a smart field general for Kansas City’s secondary. —B.W.
- Chase Young, Delaware State, San Francisco 49ers:
To be honest, when the 49ers acquired him in October in a trade deadline deal with Washington, they probably imagined the talented Young would be listed much higher. But the truth is, he wasn’t very good in San Francisco, so that could impact the free agent market. There was clearly a problem with effort. But Young can play and has the skill. Maybe he’ll show it on the biggest stage. —BW
- Jair Brown, S, San Francisco 49ers:
Brown was better as a rookie than some expected, but his transition from Penn State to the NFL was easy due to his versatility in playing multiple positions on the 49ers’ defense. Even though he had only played five regular season seasons prior to the NFC Championship Game, Brown had two interceptions and four pass breakups. If the Niners have an unsung hero in the Super Bowl, I want Brown to be that person. – MP
- Tashaun Gipson Sr, S, San Francisco 49ers:
Gipson, a 12-year veteran, often flies under the radar, but he helped solidify San Francisco’s back end over the past two seasons. He lines up anywhere on the field, plays in coverage, and his versatility to complement run defense is difficult to quantify and doesn’t show up in the box score.
- Nick Bolton, LB, Kansas City Chiefs:
Kansas City’s defense has a lot of young talent, and Bolton is one of the best. He’s at his best downhill, on the run, or as a blitzer, and is one of the keys to how defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo creates pressure. Bolton had a big play in last year’s Super Bowl, recovering a fumble and scoring a touchdown, but he still needs to come up with some big plays in Las Vegas. – yes
- Mike Danna, DT, Kansas City Chiefs:
Mike Danna is the Chiefs’ best defensive player that almost no one talks about. Chris Jones is undoubtedly the driving force on the DL, but Dunna broke out in 2023 with 50 tackles and 6.5 sacks. When a team commits to doubling up on Jones (as it should), Dunna learned to go inside – and the one-two punch of these two linemen managed to overwhelm the only player in the 49ers’ great offense. Would be able to – JD
- Jalen Watson, CB, Kansas City Chiefs:
In Super Bowl 58, the Chiefs defense will face every offensive tool at Kyle Shanahan’s disposal. That could mean Jalen Watson and Joshua Williams, who saw similar playing time in the postseason, are under Shanahan’s proverbial microscope. Watson has allowed just two receptions for five goals in the playoffs, and will need to put up similar numbers next Sunday if the Chiefs want to slow down the 49ers. -MS
- Arik Armstead, DT, San Francisco 49ers:
Armstead isn’t an elite pass rusher and doesn’t live up to the hype of being a former top-20 pick, but what’s missing from the box score is that he’s San Francisco’s best inside run stopper. In fact, he and Hargrave aren’t that far apart in terms of run stops, but former first-round pick Javon Kinlaw has a lot of responsibility. As such, Armstead is an integral part of the run defense with Isaiah Pacheco. -KA
- Deomodore Lenoir, CB, San Francisco 49ers:
Lenoir was probably the best cornerback in the 2023 playoffs in terms of coverage, allowing just 0.22 yards per slot coverage in the postseason. He allowed 20 yards in two playoff games. Brandon Aiyuk said Lenoir “energizes the whole team,” and as one of the league’s top trash talkers, Lenoir is sure to harass Kansas City’s top receivers. -KA
- Kyle Juszczyk, FB, San Francisco 49ers:
He is one of the reasons why the 49ers’ defense is so difficult to defend because they have such a diverse lineup. Between Kittle, McCaffrey, Samuel, and Kyle Juszczyk, you have players who can line up in the backfield, on the wing, on the line, in the slot, or on the wing. Juszczyk may be a fullback on the roster, but he can fit anywhere on the field, giving Steve Spagnuolo new cause for concern in Sunday’s Super Bowl. -MS
- Laci Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs:
Ever since Tyreek Hill was traded, we’ve been waiting to see who would show up in Kansas City and grab the receiver brass ring, and it looks like Lachie Rice is that guy. Rice, a second-round pick out of SMU in the 2023 draft, quickly emerged as Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target behind Travis Kelce. He already holds the franchise’s single-season touchdown record as a rookie and will now look to make a big impact in the biggest game of his life. – J.D.
- Joe Thuney, OG, Kansas City Chiefs:
Souney missed the AFC Championship Game with a pectoral injury, which could have put him in line for the Super Bowl, but if he plays, he will complete the Chiefs’ trio. Smart and powerful, Souney helps keep Patrick Mahomes scoreless while supporting the Chiefs’ tackles. The 49ers have a very aggressive defense and face challenges inside with Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead. Therefore, it would be a huge boost for the Chiefs if Souney were able to leave. -yes
- Trey Smith, OG, Kansas City Chiefs:
One of the least interesting positions in football, Smith plays guard and wears down defenders with his size and athleticism. The Chiefs invested in their offensive line in the NFL Draft, and Smith is a great example of that paying off. The former sixth-round pick may not be well known to NFL fans, but defensive linemen are no strangers to the 6-foot-2 giant.
- Dre Greenlaw, LB, San Francisco 49ers:
It’s probably surprising to all his 49ers fans that Greenlaw is so low on this list, but it might just be a testament to how good this two of his teams are at the top. But Greenlaw was always the Robin to Fred Warner’s Batman. If the Chiefs focus too much on getting rid of Warner, the same thing could very well happen in the Super Bowl. – MP
- Creed Humphrey, OC, Kansas City Chiefs:
If Trent Williams is the best offensive player on both teams overall, Humphrey should be number two. Like Williams, Humphrey was a star at Oklahoma and is also a star in the NFL. The second-round pick was an opening day starter in Kansas City, finishing third in 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year voting and earning All-Pro Second Team honors in 2022. Among all Interior offensive linemen, Humphrey ranks second in ESPN’s pass block win percentage metric. – M.A.
- Charvarius Ward, CB, San Francisco 49ers:
Ward is an example of how extensive this list is. He doesn’t get a lot of attention because of the firepower of the 49ers defense. But he’s a stud, and his Pro Bowl appearance in 2024 shows that. —B.W.
- Javon Hargrave, DT, San Francisco 49ers:
Hargrave left Philadelphia last offseason to become a big-time free agent with the 49ers and return to the Super Bowl. Hargrave is worth every penny to the 49ers, and the Pro Bowl pick will be part of a special defense that follows Patrick Mahomes. —B.W.
- Rajarius Sneed, CB, Kansas City Chiefs:
The 2020 fourth-round pick from Louisiana Tech is probably on everyone’s radar after his notable fumble on Zai Flowers in the AFC Championship Game. Snead allowed just 42 completions on 81 targets for 406 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions, and 10 PBUs (per PFF). He tends to take penalties (leading all corners in that category), but the downside is that he was a standout cornerback in one of the league’s best defenses. Snead narrowly missed out on AP All-Pro Second Team honors, finishing second to former Chiefs teammate and future Super Bowl rival Charvarius Ward. — M.A.
- Isaiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs:
Pacheco’s running style, which generated a ton of memes, was one of my favorites of his this year’s NFL season. At the same time, this running style is no joke for the defenders tasked with beating him. Pacheco continues to run more like a former seventh-round pick hoping to realize his dream than a player who has already won a Super Bowl title. The value of running backs may have declined in recent years, but Pacheco’s ability to keep the Chiefs’ offense balanced cannot be underestimated. If the Chiefs aim to win back-to-back championships, I hope that a man who can run in a way that bites people will play an active role.
- George Karlaftis, Delaware State, Kansas City Chiefs:
Karlaftis has a chance to change the game. The Purdue product had double-digit sacks in his second year and is an exceptional athlete who can bend and survive the run. Karlaftis benefits from the presence of Chris Jones, but he also plays alone a lot. -JM
- Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers:
Aiyuk is probably the 49ers’ best wide receiver, although there’s a lot of hype surrounding him as well as Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle. He led the NFL in first down percentage among all pass catchers with at least 75 targets and finished the game with 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Against the best DB group the Niners have ever seen, Aiyuk will need to win on the outside to give the Niners a chance. -JP
- Trent McDuffie, CB, Kansas City Chiefs:
Once the dust settles, history will prove that the Tyreek Hill trade was worth it simply because the Chiefs signed Trent McDuffie. One of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, McDuffie was named to his first All-Pro team in 2023. He’s a defensive back who can stand on an island and shut down entire sides of the field, while also having the quickness and ability to make tackles in the open field. Against Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, this is an important skill and McDuffie has the ability to eliminate either as an element of his game. – J.D.
- George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers:
Not only is Kittle a nightmare for opposing defenses in the passing game, he is also a very effective blocker in the running game. Just ask Aidan Hutchinson. -MS
- Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers:
Brock Purdy is surrounded by the best supporting cast in the NFL and has too many turnover plays, but he’s at a loss to find anything to criticize. Because he’s much better than Jimmy Garoppolo ever was, and that could be the difference between Shanahan getting through or not. His Super Bowl curse. Compared to Mahomes, Purdy had a higher passing rate under pressure, a higher passing rate when staying clean, and a higher shooting percentage. San Francisco has the best chance to beat the Chiefs as he is the 2023 NFL leader in QBR, passer rating, and Y/A compared to the Niners’ previous QBs. Tom Brady needed to win three Super Bowls before he was no longer called a “game manager.” How many pieces does it cost? -KA
- Nick Bosa, Edge, San Francisco 49ers:
No disrespect to Fred Warner or Chris Jones, but there’s no defensive player I’d pick over Bosa in this game. Since 2021, Bosa’s 115 QB hits rank first (17 more than second), his 149 pressures rank third, his 44.5 sacks rank third, and his 56 TFLs rank second. ing. Bosa, Maxx Crosby and Micah Parsons are the only players under the age of 27. Final list. -KA
- Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers:
Forgotten in the MVP debate between Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey is the fact that, deep down, Deebo Samuel may be the most important player in San Francisco’s offense. Despite all the hype about “on/off coverage,” the 49ers actually have an expected points increase of 0.18 points per game when Samuel is on the field, according to data from Sports Info Solutions. When he was on the field, it was 0.01. when he was standing on the sideline. Looking at the pass-to-run ratio, his EPA/Pass for the 49ers was 0.26 when Samuel was on the field and 0.06 when Samuel was off. When it comes to the running game, we’re seeing a split again. His EPA/Run when he was on the field was 0.09 and -0.05 when he wasn’t. -MS
- Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers:
Fred Warner is great. As the octopus of the 49ers’ defense, there’s literally nothing wrong with Warner. While he doesn’t have any outstanding stats to prove his worth, this guy can literally do anything you ask him to do defensively. Warner is one of the most reliable tacklers in the NFL, and his pre-snap instincts are unparalleled, but he can also rush the passer or fall back in coverage. Whether it’s covering Travis Kelce or stopping Isaiah Pacheco, Warner can do it in the Super Bowl. The defensive players in the league are fun to watch and will be important in the Super Bowl. – J.D.
- Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs:
If you want to talk about outstanding players who are still in the playoffs, you have to talk about Chris Jones. The Chiefs’ DT is central to what Kansas City wants to accomplish up top, and his positional versatility will be key to putting pressure on Brock Purdy. Jones has 10.5 sacks this season, but what Jones does is matchup hunting. Sparg can find the matchup for Jones in the weakest spot of the opposing OL and destroy it with his best pass rusher. Jones saves his biggest plays for his biggest moments, so expect big plays from him in Las Vegas. -yes
- Trent Williams, LT, San Francisco 49ers:
Offenses win championships in today’s NFL. Having a left tackle who is good in pass protection and can dominate as a power run blocker or lead in a zone scheme is a huge cheat code. If Williams wasn’t as good at key positions, the Niners wouldn’t be in the Super Bowl. I would have picked him 2nd overall. —J.M.
- Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs:
It’s hard to overstate how important Kelce has been to the Chiefs’ recent dominance in the NFL. Most of the credit, of course, goes to Patrick Mahomes, but for a pass catcher to develop such a close relationship with his quarterback and establish collaboration at such a high level that he could essentially go out and play in his backyard. I can’t think of anyone else in the NFL. When the footballs come, don’t go back and bite them. Because when your enemy expects you to follow years of precedent when it comes to attack plans, the best way to keep people surprised is to simply march to the beat of your own drum, right? It’s something Kelce and Mahomes do over and over again at key times. I don’t think Kelce is close to retiring, but if he wins another title with a great performance, it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t aim to be the G.O.A.T. To become. at the tight end position.
- Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers:
There’s no better running back in the league than CMC. He led the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,023) and tied for the league lead with 21 touchdowns. McCaffrey is a natural fit in Kyle Shanahan’s system, but his best season was with the Carolina Panthers in 2019, joining Marshall Faulk as the only running back in NFL history with over 1,000 rushing yards. Remember, I joined Roger Craig. The receiving yards were on the season. No running back has won Super Bowl MVP since Denver Broncos legend Terrell Davis in 1998. McCaffrey has a better chance than anyone to end this losing streak. — M.A.
- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs:
Sorry for the lack of creativity here. But let’s be honest. This game lets you see the best players in the NFL. He has been a starter in the NFL for six seasons, and this will be his fourth Super Bowl appearance. can’t believe it. — BW
