The NFL playoffs are down to the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, and as one could expect, each roster is loaded with some of the league’s best talent.
Between the two teams, the championship game features a total of eight first-team All-Pro selections, two second-team All-Pro selections, and 14 Pro Bowl players.
The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs advanced to their fourth Super Bowl in five seasons with a 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, while the San Francisco 49ers rallied to defeat the Detroit Lions, 34-31.
If you combined the rosters of the Chiefs and the 49ers, who would be the top 10 players overall? Given the depth of talent, some hard choices needed to be made to trim the list to 10.
Below is our list, which is split in half — five Kansas City Chiefs and five San Francisco 49ers.
Related: Super Bowl odds
The Top 10 players in Super Bowl LVIII
10. Creed Humphrey, Chiefs C
With All-Pro guard Joe Thuney out for the season, the Chiefs’ next best player is his offensive linemate Humphrey, who was invited to his second Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro in 2022.
9. Trent McDuffie, Chiefs CB
McDuffie, in only his second season, has become a big-play machine for a much-improved Chiefs’ defense, leading the way with five forced fumbles and getting recognized as a first-team All-Pro as a slot corner.
8. Nick Bosa, 49ers DE
It might seem odd to put a reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year this low in the top 10, but Bosa’s 10.5 sacks fell well short of his normal output, even though PFF rated him the league’s second-best edge defender.
7. Travis Kelce, Chiefs TE
A nine-time Pro Bowl performer, Kelce could end up as the greatest receiving tight end in NFL history, but statistically he’s had a down year compared to past seasons.
6. Fred Warner, 49ers LB
Warner, the 49ers’ defensive captain, is arguably the NFL’s best linebacker, a three-time All-Pro who’s excelled equally against the run (four forced fumbles) and in pass coverage (four interceptions).
5. Chris Jones, Chiefs DT
Jones, now in his ninth season, is an absolute beast and the heart of the Chiefs’ defense, notching 10.5 sacks to earn his second straight first-team All-Pro selection.
4. George Kittle, 49ers TE
Among the game’s tight ends, Kittle, a five-time Pro Bowler, has set himself apart as both a receiver and a blocker; he led the way in receiving yards (1,020) and yards per catch (15.7), earned PFF’s highest overall grade at his position, and was named a first-team All-Pro.
3. Trent Williams, 49ers LT
An 11-time Pro Bowler, Williams is one of the game’s all-time greats at offensive tackle and is still playing at a peak level according to PFF, which ranked him second to only the guy above him on this list among the game’s offensive tackles in 2023.
2. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs QB
It wasn’t his best regular season, but he’s still Patrick Mahomes, a two-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP and NFL MVP, and that matters greatly going into his fourth Super Bowl in five seasons.
1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers RB
McCaffrey, the rushing champion who scored a league-best 21 touchdowns to go with 2,023 yards from scrimmage, is both the NFL’s best running back and No. 1 offensive weapon who doesn’t play quarterback.