• LB Leo Chenal paces all players: Chenal was pivotal in limiting the 49ers' ground game, earning a 94.9 run-defense grade.
• Patrick Mahomes was fantastic as a scrambler: The Super Bowl MVP recorded five crucial first downs with his legs in the second half.
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Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
An NFL champion has finally been crowned. The Kansas City Chiefs secured their second of back-to-back titles in thrilling fashion over the San Francisco 49ers.
These are the 15 highest-graded players of Super Bowl 58.
Editor's Note: Players needed a 20% snap share to qualify
1. LB Leo Chenal, Kansas City Chiefs: 92.0
The Chiefs second-year linebacker produced the best performance of his young career when it mattered most. Chenal was pivotal in limiting the Niners' production on the ground, earning a 94.9 run-defense grade. Among qualifying defenders, he stands as the only player to surpass a 20% positively graded play rate on run fits (28.6%), all without earning a single negative mark.
Chenal’s 94.5 run-defense grade this postseason ranked as the highest among all qualifying defenders.
2. OT Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers: 91.0
Williams had possibly his most impressive game of the season when the lights were brightest. For the first time this season, the veteran tackle produced 90.0-plus grades in both run blocking (92.2) and pass protection (90.2). On the ground, Williams set the tone with a 27.6% impact block rate, which led all offensive linemen in the game. He was just as impressive in pass protection, producing a perfect 100.0 pass-blocking efficiency rating.
The elite Niners left tackle continues to set the standard of offensive line play, amassing the highest PFF grade by any lineman this postseason (94.4).
3. DI Mike Pennel, Kansas City Chiefs: 82.6
Pennel played a significant role in the Chiefs' stout run-defense effort. On his 21 run-defense snaps, he earned a 38.1% positively graded play rate, the highest among Chiefs defenders. Pennel also produced a pair of tackles for loss or no gain against the run, including a crucial red-zone stop on third-and-short late in the game.
4. WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers: 82.4
Jennings was instrumental in the Niners' second-half passing game. All four of his targets came late, which he converted into a pair of first downs and a score, earning him a 79.0 receiving grade. He also excelled as a run blocker, earning a 79.9 grade — the second-highest mark among qualifying skill players.
5. DI Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs: 81.8
The stalwart interior pass rusher was a disruptive force on his way to the highest pass-rushing grade (88.9) of the game. While Jones didn’t record a sack, his presence was felt in the Niners' backfield, where he generated six total pressures, including a pair of quarterback hits late in the game.
6. WR Mecole Hardman Jr., Kansas City Chiefs: 80.7
Hardman may have seen a limited target share, but he made the most of his opportunities. He caught all three of his targets, including an incredible 52-yard strike and the game-winning touchdown. His 158.3 passer rating generated when targeted led all skill players in the game.
7. CB Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers: 80.5
Lenoir was among the 49ers' most effective defenders. The cornerback allowed just 0.67 yards per coverage snap, also contributing a pair of coverage stops.
He was perhaps even more impressive against the run, leading his team in run-defense grade (94.7). Even lined up on the outside, Lenoir was active in the run game, highlighted by his red-zone forced fumble on Isiah Pacheco in the first half.
8. S Ji’Ayir Brown, San Francisco 49ers: 79.6
The rookie Brown contributed meaningful snaps in the biggest game of his young career. He earned a 74.1 coverage grade, propelled by his clutch interception of Patrick Mahomes in the third quarter, the first turnover-worthy play from the Chiefs passer this postseason.
9. DI Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers: 79.2
The veteran defensive tackle was incredible on the interior, making plays as both a pass rusher and a run defender. On his 35 pass-rushing snaps, Hargrave amassed six total pressures, including a fourth-quarter third-down sack. Fitting the run, Hargrave was also a force, recording a 46.2% positively graded play rate, the highest of the Super Bowl.
10. TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: 78.9
Kelce concluded his phenomenal postseason with another incredible outing. He led all players in targets (11), receptions (nine) and receiving yardage (93), totaling a 78.1 receiving grade. While Kelce was held out of the endzone, he managed to convert a game-high five first downs, including a pair of crucial receptions late in the fourth quarter and overtime.
11. CB Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs: 78.5
Steve Spagnuolo deployed his versatile cornerback in every facet of the game. Despite a late penalty, McDuffie was fantastic in coverage, piling up three forced incompletions while allowing just a 39.6 passer rating when targeted. The cornerback was also effective as a blitzer, generating a quarterback hit late in the fourth quarter that resulted in a failed third-down conversion for the 49ers.
12. DI Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers: 75.4
Across 39 pass-rushing snaps, Armstead produced a 17.9% pass-rush win rate, totaling seven pressures — including a huge sack in the red zone.
13. C Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs: 75.3
Humphrey was beaten just a single time on 55 pass-blocking snaps and didn't allow any pressure. He was even more impressive on the ground, earning the second-highest run-blocking grade of the game (78.2), powered by a 16.7% impact block rate.
14. QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 75.2
The Super Bowl MVP had a fantastic outing, leading his team to back-to-back championships. While Mahomes did register his first turnover-worthy play of the playoffs, he was incredible as both a passer and a runner. He produced 333 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air and another 66 on the ground. Mahomes was especially effective at scrambling, as he amassed five first downs in the second half.
15. CB Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers: 74.5
Ward played as clean of a game in coverage as the 49ers could have hoped for. The Chiefs avoided targeting their former cornerback, and it was the first instance this season in which Ward saw no coverage targets.
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