One of the bigger concerns of the San Francisco 49ers is the fact that they have aging players they may have to move off of after 2024. But it’s probably less about the age and more about the money they covet because the 49ers have some studs over the age of 30 years.
Over at NFL.com, the writers put together a list of the top 30 NFL players over the age of 30. At number two was 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams. Only one person was ahead of Williams and that was Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
Whatever.
Here’s what they said of Williams:
Blair: Williams is the third-oldest player on this list, and the oldest non-quarterback — but there’s no doubt he belongs here, sitting above many premier talents who only recently exited their 20s. He is legitimately one of the best players in the league, and there is a real argument for him to be ranked No. 1, not just because he paves the way for Christian McCaffrey and keeps Brock Purdy clean, but because he represents perhaps the Platonic ideal of the 30-and-over star.
Think back to where Williams was when he turned 30, on July 19, 2018. Heading into what ended up being his final season suiting up for Washington, Williams ranked 57th on the Top 100 Players of 2018. Since then, he’s survived a cancer diagnosis, joined the perennially contending 49ers, made first-team All-Pro three times and debuted in the Super Bowl. He also just earned his 11th Pro Bowl nod, one short of setting a record among tackles. He basically reached an entire career’s worth of accomplishments after hitting the big 3-0, and his reputation (along with his Top 100 standing) soared accordingly. Maybe soon, he’ll be headlining the Top Couple of Guys over 40.
Obviously, Williams deserves to be on this list. As I said in my writeup before the Super Bowl, Williams has a highlight reel to his own and humiliated many a-defender with his strength.
Father time remains unbeaten and there’s been murmurs of him wanting another deal. The good news is he seems more enthusiastic on coming back than he was a year ago after that Philadelphia loss.
Personally, I’d put Williams ahead of Hill, but I’m also a homer and can see why Hill may take the top spot. I’ve also seen Williams play on some less than desirable teams and through injury, yet do extremely well. But this is the here and now, so I guess Hill deserves to be first.
But that’s not the only player to make the list. Tight End George Kittle made it to the seventh spot, ahead of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Parr: The term “dual threat” is most often attached to ultra-athletic quarterbacks in NFL parlance, but the label could certainly be a fit for Kittle, too. You want a tight end who can catch the ball? Kittle has 6,274 career receiving yards, third-most by a TE in his first seven seasons all-time behind Travis Kelce (6,465) and Jimmy Graham (6,280). You need a tight end who can make a block? No player at the position was better at clearing defenders in the run game last season than Kittle, according to PFF.
The TEU alum was quieted in Super Bowl LVIII, but let’s not overlook his highlights on the big stage. He made an unreal grab in the Divisional Round of the 2022 season against the Cowboys and pancaked one of the league’s best defensive players in the NFC Championship Game this past postseason. Kelce might go down as the greatest tight end of all time, but he can’t match Kittle’s all-around game right now.
Chris Joines, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams were ahead of Kittle (and of course, Hill and Williams). All names I can’t argue ahead of him. So Kittle at No. 7 seems fair.
But Williams at two? I don’t know about that one. I’d put him at first. Again, he has a highlight reel all ot himself.
Where would you place Trent Williams among players over 30? At one? keep at two? or further down the list?
