Supersedes prior lists. Through 2023.
The number given to each player is an overall impact number - covering regular season, postseason, peak value, career value. It's the almost exactly the same formula I'm currently using for my NFL career rankings (I cleaned it up a little, it's maybe a little better) Represents only 49ers value. The list is dynamic and contains a rate element, so active players may find their rankings drop. Bad seasons also count. Everything counts.
100. DEREK SMITH MLB 2001-07 61
102 starts in 104 49er games in the middle of his career, recovered 8 fumbles, two for scores.
99. LEE WOODALL LB 1994-99 61
Rookie starter for that '94 Super Bowl team, 6th in defensive rookie of the year. Made Pro Bowls in '95 and '97. 88 49er starts, took a fumble 96 yards for a score in '95.
98. BERNIE CASEY WR 1961-66 61
9th pick in the '61 Draft. 67 starts, 27 TDs. Long post-NFL acting career, 81 acting IMDB credits; Richard Sandomir wrote his NY Times obit.
97. DAVE PARKS WR 1964-67 62
Lining up on the other side for 3 seasons as the receiver opposite Bernie Casey was Parks. Only 4 seasons in San Francisco. Top pick in the '64 NFL Draft (Charley Taylor was third, Carl Eller was 6th, Paul Warfield 11th. The Niners got Dave Wilcox 29th overall). Only 3 receivers have ever gone number one overall through 2022. Pro Bowler in 3 of his 4 Niners seasons, 2nd team All Pro in '66 - had a huge 1965, leading the NFL in catches, receiving yards, receiving TDs, receiving yards/game. 12 TDs in a 14 game season. In Parks' rookie season he set the record for longest 2 receptions in Niner history. Left as a free agent for the Saints after the '67 season.
96. JULIAN PETERSON OLB 2000-05 62
16th pick in the 2000 draft. 2nd team All Pro in '02, 1st Team All Pro in '03. 72 regular season starts for the Niners. 394 tackles. 21.5 sacks. Got a pick in the Niners '02 Wild Card 39-38 comeback win over the Giants. Went to Seattle as a free agent after the '05 season.
95. TIGER JOHNSON C 1948-56 63
Gold Star 49er, played entire career for San Francisco. 87 starts at center. Pro Bowls in '52-3 and a second team All Pro in 1952. Started in the 1949 AAFC Championship game the Niners lost to Cleveland. Played baseball at Texas A&M. Succeeded Paul Brown as Bengal head coach, the job for which Bill Walsh got passed over, leading to his availability for the 49ers.
94. ARIK ARMSTEAD DE/DT 2015-23 63
This is where it ends for Armstead, 116 games played in San Francisco, 33.5 sacks.
93. PIERCE HOLT DE 1988-92 63
Rotation defensive end for most of his 5 year 49er career, starting 54 times. 10.5 sacks in '89; 2nd team All Pro in '90. 5 sacks in 10 49er postseason appearances. Started the '89 Super Bowl, back to back Super Bowl champ. 29.5 49er sacks.
92. KEVIN FAGAN DE 1987-93 63
On the opposite side from Holt on the defensive line in the '89 Super Bowl was Kevin Fagan. Gold Star Niner. 74 starts in 83 career regular season games. Back to back Super Bowl champ, got sacks in both Super Bowl wins; 16.5 sacks combined in those two seasons, 25.5 career Niner sacks.
91. BILL ROMANOWSKI OLB 1988-93 65
Member of the back to back Super Bowl Champs in his first two years in the league (he'd go onto win 2 more in Denver). 76 starts in his 6 Niners seasons. Forced 7 fumbles, recovered 7 fumbles. Played in a dozen postseason games for the Niners.
90. TOM RATHMAN FB 1986-93 65
Full time starter from '88-92, starter on the back to back Super Bowl Champs in '88-'89. Scored 2 touchdowns in Super Bowl 24, led all running backs in receptions in '89. 5 postseason 49er TDs. 7 NFC West first place finishes in 8 year 49er career. 4392 regular season yards from scrimmage with the Niners. 34 TDs.
89. JOHNNY STRZYKALSKI RB 1946-52 65
Gold Star Niner. 62 starts, led the league in yards per carry twice. 2nd team All Pro twice. 31 Tds
88. TOMMY DAVIS K/P 1959-69 65
Gold Star Niner. 2 Pro Bowl selections, second team All Pro in '65. Missed just two extra points in his career. Led league in yards/punt in '62.
87. DEEBO SAMUEL WR 2019- 66
Through 2023.
86. SKIP VANDERBUNDT LB 1969-77 68
100 career 49er starts in the regular season, 3 postseason starts including the '71 NFC Title game. 14 picks, 8 sacks, 2 TDs in his 49er career.
85. JD SMITH RB 1956-64 70
Smith played multiple positions in his 9 year Niner career, he had 2 picks in 1957 and was third in the league in kick returns. He became the primary ballcarrier in 1959, rushing for a over a thousand yards and ten TDs. Smith led the Niners in rushing 5 straight years. Two Pro Bowls, a 2nd team All pro and was 5th in the MVP in 1959. When he was traded to Dallas prior to the '65 season he was the second all time leading rusher in 49er history.
84. RAY BROWN G 1996-01 70
Six seasons as the starting left guard in San Francisco late in his career. 95 games, 95 starts. At the age of 39 was 2nd team All Pro and made the only Pro Bowl of a two decade career. Started in 7 Niners playoff games.
83. MIKE IUPATI G 2010-14 70
75 games - 75 starts. First team All Pro in the Super Bowl season, 2012, started the Pro Bowl, started in the Super Bowl loss to Baltimore. Made the Pro Bowl in 3 of his 5 49er seasons. He and Joe Staley made up the left side of the OL during the Harbaugh years when the Niners made 3 straight NFC Title games.
82. JEREMY NEWBERRY C 1999-2005 70
Grew up in Antioch, went to Cal, second round Niners draft pick. 90 starts as a 49er in 90 games played, most at center. Replaced Chris Dalman in the lineup (he just missed inclusion on the list). 2 Pro Bowl appearances.
81. JOHN THOMAS T/G 1958-67 70
Gold Star Niner, 112 starts in 122 games, first team All Pro in '66.
80. FRANK NUNLEY MLB 1967-76 70
Gold Star Niner. 92 starts in 137 games, Starter in the back to back NFC Title losses in '70-'71.
79. WILLIE HARPER OLB 1973-83 70
Gold Star Niner. 100 starts in 134 career games. Recovered a fumble in the 49ers first Super Bowl win, had a sack in the divisional round that season. Grandfather of rapper Saweetie.
78. MEL PHILLIPS S 1966-77 70
Gold Star Niner, 117 career starts. 12 picks, 7 fumble recoveries. Started in the Niners back to back NFC Title losses in '70 and '71. Would be a coach with the Dolphins for more than 2 decades.
77. BRUCE TAYLOR CB/KR 1970-77 71
Gold Star Niner, 101 career regular season starts, All Pro as a rookie, Defensive Rookie of the Year, led the league in punt return yardage and then made the pro bowl in his second season. Starter in both NFC Title losses in '70-'71.
76. ROLAND LAKES DT 1961-70 71
The youngest starting offensive lineman in franchise history for 50 years as a 21 year old center in 1961. 122 starts for San Francisco, most of which at defensive tackle. Started in that 1970 NFC Title loss to Dallas.
75. CAS BANASZEK OT 1968-77 72
Gold Star Niner. 112 career starts, most of them at right tackle. Finished 3rd offensive rookie of the year. Starter in the back to back NFC Title losses.
74. VERNON DAVIS TE 2006-15 72
A ten year 49er, 136 starts. 6th overall pick in the 2006 draft. 4th highest pick for a tight end in NFL history. 55 regular season TDs as a 49er. 2 Pro Bowls, 2nd Team All Pro in 2013; in 2009 Davis had 13 TDs, which at the time was the NFl record for TE. In the 2011 divisional playoff game against the Saints, Davis had 7 catches for 180 yards. breaking the record for most receiving yards for a tight end in a playoff game. He scored 2 TDs including the game winner with 9 seconds left. Davis had two TD catches in the NFC Championship loss to the Giants. The 49ers won the NFC Title the following year, their first in 18 seasons, Davis scored in that game and had over 100 yards receiving in the Super Bowl loss to Baltimore. Davis had 13 TD receptions in 2013 and scored twice in the postseason. Davis was dealt to Denver 4 during the 2015 season.
73. BRUNO BANDUCCI G 1946-54 72
Born in Italy, high school in Richmond, went to Stanford - played for the first 8 49er teams, 80 starts in 108 games. Two First Team All Pro selections, 3 second team selections, member of the All 1940s Team.
72. WOODY PEOPLES G 1968-77 73
107 career starts at guard for Peoples, back to back Pro Bowl seasons in '72-3.
71. KERMIT ALEXANDER CB/KR 1963-70 73
8th overall pick in the '63 draft, 90 49ers starts, most of which at corner opposite Jimmy Johnson. Led the league in kick return yards in '65, led the league in fumble recoveries in both '64 and '65, had 9 picks in '68, his Pro Bowl season.
70. MIKE WALTER LB 1984-93 76
3 Time Super Bowl Champion. Waived by Dallas after his rookie season and spent the next decade with the Niners. 96 starts in the regular season, a dozen in the playoffs. Led the team in tackles in the back to back Super Bowl Title years '88-89.
69 CARLTON WILLIAMSON S 1981-87 76
Gold Star Niner. 80 starts, Pro Bowls in '84-'85. Two Super Bowl titles. 17 picks and added 2 in the playoffs, one in the '84 Super Bowl.
68. FREDDIE SOLOMON WR 1978-85 73
Acquired from the Dolphins after his third NFL season, 97 starts at WR for the Niners in the regular season, 48 touchdowns. 6 catches for 75 yards and a score in the 1981 NFC Championship win over Dallas. Started in both of the Niners first two Super Bowl wins, 6 postseason TDs.
67. AHMAD BROOKS OLB 2011-16 73
Picked up off of waivers from the Bengals, Brooks started 92 games in 8 49ers seasons. 2 second team All Pro selections and a Pro Bowl. 51.5 sacks in the regular season. 6.5 more in 8 playoff games, including the 2012 Super Bowl loss to the Ravens. Brooks had 2 sacks in the 2013 23-20 Wild Card win over the Packers.
66. JIMMY GAROPPOLO QB 2017-22 74
Acquired from the Patriots during the 2017 season, runner up for Comeback Player of the Year in 2019, led the league in 4th Qtr comebacks and led the Niners to the Super Bowl. Led the league in yards per completion in 2021, the Niners going back to the NFC Championship. 82 regular season TD passes with the Niners, 4 in the playoffs.
65. COLIN KAEPERNICK QB 2011-16 74
Gold Star Niner. 2nd round draft pick, replaced Alex Smith during the 2012 season and led the Niners to their first Super Bowl since 1994. Broke the record for yards rushing by a QB in a playoff game in a divisional round win over Green Bay. 16-21 in the NFC Championship. Threw for over 300 yards in the 49ers first Super Bowl loss. Returned to the NFC Title the following season. Modern day John Carlos/Tommie Smith for his pre-game civil rights protests in 2016. 72 career TD passes, 13 more on the ground. 11 total TDs in the postseason.
64. RICKY WATTERS RB 1992-94 75
Only 2 players with fewer than 50 games as 49ers made the list; one is Trent Williams, who will be above 50 games during the 2023 season - Watters is the other. Just 3 years, 43 regular season games. 3 Pro Bowls, 7 playoff starts and 3 Touchdowns in what, as of the end of the 2022 season, is still the last Niners Super Bowl win. That ties a Super Bowl record for TDs in one game. In the divisional round that season, Watters rushed for 5 TDs, still the record. 33 regular season TDs in 43 games. 10 total TDs in 7 playoff games.
63. TIM MCDONALD S 1993-99 76
Already a multi-time Pro Bowler when he arrived from the Cardinals as a 28 year old. 111 games as a Niner, started all of them. 3 Pro Bowls, 2 2nd Team All Pros, took two picks back for scores in '95. 12 playoff starts for the Niners, 2 picks. Part of the '94 Super Bowl Champs. Had 133 tackles in
'98.
62. DON GRIFFIN CB 1986-93 76
Starter at right cornerback from his rookie season, 107 starts, 22 picks. Recovered 9 fumbles. 14 playoff starts, including the back to back Super Bowl wins in '88-89. Got a sack in the '89 Super Bowl.
61. DWAINE BOARD DE 1979-88 76
Played all but the final 4 games of his career as a 49er. 92 starts. 61 sacks, second on the 49er All Time list. Added 7.5 sacks in 11 playoff games. Got a sack in the '81 NFC Title win, Got 2 sacks in the '84 Super Bowl win over Miami. Double digit sacks 3 seasons in a row, '83-85. Recovered 10 fumbles in the regular season and one in the playoffs. Spent nearly 15 years on the coaching staff after retirement.
60. BUBBA PARIS OT 1983-90 80
2nd round draft pick in '83 and became the starter at left tackle- 97 starts in his Niner career and 3 Super Bowl rings. Started in 13 Niner playoff games including the '84 and '89 Super Bowls.
59. DERRICK DEESE G/T 1994-2003 83
116 starts in a 10 year Niners career, most of which at left tackle. Rookie starter on the '94 Super Bowl Champs
58. JOHN AYERS G 1977-86 83
133 starts including the first two Niner Super Bowls. Played all but his final 9 games as a Niner.
57. KEN NORTON MLB 1994-2000 84
Son of the former Heavyweight Champ, spent the first six seasons in Dallas, winning back to back Super Bowls before coming to San Francisco to win his third title in a row (through 2022, no one else has won three straight Super Bowls) Started all of his 112 games as a Niner. 1st Team All Pro in '95, 3rd in Defensive Player of the Year. 2 Pro Bowls. Took back two picks in the same game against the Rams in '95. 10 Niners playoff starts, took a pick back for a score in the '97 divisional round win over the Vikings. Had a 127 tackle 1996 and 115 in '98.
56. GORDY SOLTAU WR/K 1950-58 85
Gold Star Niner. Niners first player rep. First team All Pro in '52, Pro Bowl '51-53. Led the league in points in '52-53. Missed just 2 games in his career. One of three players in history to score 25+ touchdowns and kick 70+ field goals. 2nd in the NFL in receptions in '51. Scored 26 points against the Rams in a late October game. Through 2022, 6th in scoring in Niner history. Fought in WWII, worked for the NFL Alumni post career.
55. ABE WOODSON KR/PR/DB 1958-64 86
15th overall pick in the '57 draft, top kick returner of the era, 3 first team All pro selections, 5 Pro Bowls, ranks 4th all time in NFL average yds per punt return.
54. FORREST BLUE C 1968-74 87
15th overall pick in '68, 82 starts at center; 3 straight first team All Pro selections, 4 straight Pro Bowl selections, part of the back to back NFC Title game loss teams.
53. TRENT WILLIAMS OT 2020- 87
Through 2023.
52. GARRISON HEARST RB 1997-98, 01-03 88
Third place in the Heisman Trophy in '93, After 4 seasons with the Cardinals/Bengals he arrived in San Francisco, rushed for a thousand yards in '97, then 1500+ in '98, third in the league, averaging over 5 yards a carry. Broke the Niner record for rushing in a season. Had over 2100 yards from scrimmage which was another Niner record. Had a 96 yard overtime game winning TD run in week 1. Ran for over 120 yards in the wild card round win over the Packers. After missing 2 years with injury, came back in '01 and was Comeback Player of the Year with over 1200 on the ground. Averaged 4.7 yards/carry in 5 49er seasons.
51. GEORGE KITTLE TE 2017- 88
Through 2023. To be updated.
50. KEN WILLARD FB 1965-73 89
Led the ACC in home runs twice with North Carolina. 2nd overall pick in 1965 (ahead of Butkus and Sayers). 118 starts in 9 seasons. 4 time Pro Bowler, for a time was the active NFL all time rushing leader. 2nd in the Rookie of the Year, 4th in the MVP in his rookie season. Part of the back to back NFC Title game losers.
49. BRUCE BOSLEY G/C 1956-68 89
A 13 year 49er career, 147 starts. Made the Pro Bowl at both guard and center. 4 total Pro Bowls and a 2nd team All Pro selection. Post career President of the NFL Alumni Association.
48. MERTON HANKS S 1991-98 89
4 Pro Bowls in 8 49er seasons and a 1st Team All Pro. Super Bowl Champ in '94. 31 picks, 4 scores.
47. DWIGHT HICKS S 1979-85 89
2 Time Super Bowl Champ, 4 Pro Bowls, 9 picks in '81. First quarter interception in the Niners first Super Bowl win.
46. FRED QUILLAN C 1978-87 89
Gold Star Niner. 129 starts, 2 time Pro Bowl selection, 2 time Super Bowl Champion. Starter in both the Niners first two Super Bowl wins.
45. BRENT JONES TE 1987-97 89
Gold Star Niner. 125 career starts at tight end. 3 time Super Bowl Champ. 4 Pro Bowls, 2 2nd Team All pros. 19 playoff starts. Part of 9 NFC West Title teams. Scored a TD in the '89 Super Bowl win over Denver.
44. JOHN TAYLOR WR/PR 1987-95 89
Gold Star Niner. 101 starts at wideout, most of which opposite Jerry Rice. 3 Time Super Bowl Champ. Caught the game winning TD pass in the '88 Super Bowl win over the Bengals. Pro Bowler in both the '88-89 seaons, 2nd Team All pro in '89. Led league in punt return yardage in '88. Set Super Bowl record for punt return yardage and average in '88. A thousand yards receiving in '89, caught two 90+ yard TD passes on a Monday Night game against the Rams. 45 regular season TDs. 6 more in the playoffs.
43. DANA STUBBLEFIELD DT 1993-97, 01-02 89
Defensive rookie of the Year, 3 Pro Bowls - 15 sacks in 1997 and he was Defensive Player of the Year, first team All pro and 5th in the MVP. 5 playoff sacks, starter for the '94 Super Bowl Champion. Currently doing 15 years to life for sexual assault.
42. KEENA TURNER OLB 1980-90 89
4 Time Super Bowl Champ, 118 starts, 11 picks, 22.5 sacks. Played the '81 Super Bowl with the chickenpox, had a sack. Pro Bowler in '84. Through 2022 remains a member of the organization.
41. STEVE WALLACE OT 1986-96 89
3 Time Super Bowl Champ, 127 starts, a pro bowl and a second team All Pro. 15 postseason starts.
40. TOMMY HART DE 1968-77 89
72.2 sacks in 112 starts, 6th in Defensive Player of the Year in '72, 3rd in '76 when he made the Pro Bowl and was 2nd Team All Pro. Hart had 17 sacks in '72, 16 in '76 including a 6 sack game against the Rams.
39. CEDRICK HARDMAN DE 1970-79 90
108 sacks in 121 starts -- good god, look at that number again. Cedrick Hardman had 6 double digit sack seasons including 18 in '71. Hardman was on both the '70-71 teams that lost the NFC Championship. All time Niners sack leader through 2022. 2 Pro Bowls. The Hardman/Hart pass rush helped lead the Niners to those NFC Title games.
38. NICK BOSA DE 2019- 90
To be updated. Through 2023 4 Pro Bowls, a 1st Team All Pro, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year. Most sacks in football in 2022, 18.5. Most tackles for loss the season prior.
37. CHARLES HALEY OLB 1986-91, 98-99 91
A generation later came Haley, only 64 starts, Haley was a wrecking machine. 3 Pro Bowls, a 1st Team All pro, 3rd in Defensive Player of the Year in '90, back to back Super Bowl Champion (of course, he'd win 3 more with the Cowboys; Haley moving to Dallas shifted the balance of power). Led the Niners in sacks in every season in his first stint with the club. 7.5 postseason sacks in 12 games including 2 in the '88 Super Bowl win over the Bengals.
36. FRANKIE ALBERT QB/P 1946-52 95
Gold Star Niner. Stanford. Left handed. 5 foot 9. 166 pounds. First T formation QB in college history. Invented the bootleg. Most passing TDs in a single season in the AAFC. The Niners first star player. Starting QB in the 49ers first game, September 8 1946 (home loss to the New York Yankees). Starting QB 3 years later in the 49ers first playoff game (home win over the New York Yankees). Starting QB in the 49ers first game in the NFL the next year (home loss, wait for it, to the New York Yanks). Niners Head Coach '56-58. 3 2nd Team All Pros, 1 Pro Bowl. AAFC Co-MVP in 1948. Just 68 starts.
35. JEFF GARCIA QB 1999-03 95
Gilroy High School. San Jose St. 15 QB in NFL history have had consecutive 30 TD passing seasons. Most either are Hall of Famers (Marino, Manning, Favre, etc...) or will be (Mahomes, Rodgers, Brady). Jeff Garcia is on that list. Took over job when injuries ended Steve Young's career. 3 consecutive Pro Bowls, the second largest playoff comeback in history over the Giants in '02. 113 TDs in 71 starts.
34. MATT HAZELTINE OLB 1955-68 95
A crazy 171 starts in a 14 year 49er career. 2 Pro Bowls, 2 second team All Pros. Team Captain for 5 seasons. 38 sacks, 12 picks.
33. LEN ROHDE OT 1960-74 95
Gold Star Niner. 15 years, 208 games, 179 starts, 1 Pro Bowl selection. Started in those back to back NFC Title losses. Tied for third on the All Time Niners game played list.
32. GUY MCINTYRE G 1984-93 96
3 Time Super Bowl Champ, 5 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. 2nd Team All Pro. Started 14 playoff games including 2 Super Bowls. Through 2022, remains a member of the organization.
31. ERIC WRIGHT CB 1981-90 99
Gold Star Niner. 4 Time Super Bowl Champ. 1st Team All Pro in '85, 2nd Team in '84, Pro Bowl in both seasons. Starter on all 4 Super Bowl winners in the 80s. Made the game saving (season saving, dynasty saving) tackle on Drew Pearson in the '81 NFC Title game's closing moments. 2 Super Bowl interceptions.
30. NAVORRO BOWMAN ILB 2010-17 99
Just 74 starts for Bowman, 4 first Team All Pro Selections - 3 Pro Bowls, 6th place Defensive Player of the Year, 4th place Comeback Player of the Year. 143 tackles in 2011, second in solo tackles in the league. The 49ers didn't allow a rushing TD in 14 straight games, an NFL record. 148 tackles in 2012, the Niners reaching the Super Bowl for the first time since '94, Bowman had 9 tackles in the Super Bowl loss to Baltimore. 145 tackles and 5 sacks for Bowman in 2013, Bowman had 14 tackles and a sack in the NFC Title loss to Seattle before blowing out his ACL and MCL. Missed all of 2014 - came back in 2015 and led the NFL with 154 tackles. The next season he tore his achilles tendon and he was released during the 2017 season.
29. FRED WARNER MLB 2018- 100
And counting, through 2023, 3 All Pro selections, 3 Pro Bowls, 98 regular season games as a Niner, 98 starts.
28. MICHAEL CARTER NT 1984-92 100
Gold Star Niner. Still holds high school record in shot put through 2022. Silver Medal in the '84 Olympics. 3 Time Super Bowl Champ. 3 Time Pro Bowler. First Team All Pro in '87, second team twice. 2 sacks in the '84 NFC Title game.
27. Y.A. TITTLE QB 1951-60 100
Tittle had already been AAFC Rookie of the Year with the Colts when, at 25, he signed with the 49ers, he split time with Frankie Albert in his first two seasons and in '53 took the job. 20 TD passes and a Pro Bowl. A second Pro Bowl in '54 when Tittle became the first pro football player on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Tittle led the NFL in TD passes in '55; in '57 he and RC Owens developed the Alley Oop and he won the MVP. 108 TD passes in 78 49ers regular season starts.
26. JUSTIN SMITH DE 2008-14 105
Signed as a free agent at 29 after 7 years with the Bengals. In 7 Niner seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, First Team All pro, 2 2nd Team All Pro, 3rd in defensive player of the year in '11.
25. GENE WASHINGTON WR 1969-77 106
Stanford. 16th overall pick in '69, started all of his 124 regular season games (and 5 playoff games) with the Niners. Pro Bowl in his first 4 seasons, 2 Time First Team All Pro.
24. DWIGHT CLARK WR 1979-87 106
Gold Star Niner. Scored the most famous TD in football history. 2 Time NFL Champ. First Team All Pro in '82. 2 Time Pro Bowler. 48 career regular season TDs, 506 receptions.
23. BILLY WILSON WR 1951-60 106
Gold Star Niner. Campbell High School. San Jose St. Through 2022 remains top 10 in TDs and receptions for the 49ers all time. Led NFL 3 times in receptions. 6 time Pro Bowler, was Pro Bowl MVP in '55. 5th in the MVP in '57 and First Team All Pro - 3 Time second team All Pro. Most catches in football in the 1950s. Remained part of the organization for 3 decades after retirement.
22. CHARLIE KRUEGER DT 1959-73 110
Gold Star Niner. 9th overall pick in '58. 15 seasons. 193 starts. 2 2nd Team All pros, 2 Pro Bowl seasons. 54 career regular season sacks. Won a lawsuit against the organization for pain killing injections.
21. KEITH FAHNHORST OT 1974-87 110
Gold Star Niner. 2 Time Super Bowl Champ. 160 starts in the regular season, started the first two 49er Super Bowl wins. First team All Pro in '84.
20. JESSE SAPOLU G/C 1983-97 120
Gold Star Niner. 154 starts in the regular season and 19 more in the playoffs. 4 Time Super Bowl Champ (is there someone else who was on both the '84 and '94 teams? none strikes me offhand, yeah, I'm pretty confident it's just Sapolu) with 2 Pro Bowls. Super Bowl starter in '88,'89',94.
19. HARRIS BARTON T 1987-96 125
Gold Star Niner. 2 First Team All Pros, 3 Super Bowl Titles. Jewish. First offensive lineman the Niners had drafted in the first round since '68. 2nd in Rookie of the Year. 134 starts in the regular season and 19 more in the playoffs.
18. FRANK GORE RB 2005-14 125
134 starts in 10 Niners seasons, 75 TDs and over 11,000 yards rushing. 2 ACL tears in college. 4.8 yards per carry as a rookie, first time a rookie led the Niners in rushing since Dexter Carter in 1990. Double shoulder surgery following the season. Led the NFC in rushing his second season, breaking the franchise record for both rushing and yards from scrimmage. Set the Niners single game rushing record against Seattle. 5.4 yards per carry on the season, second best in Niners history. Started in the Pro Bowl. Rushed for over a thousand yards in '07, '08. Rushed for over 200 yards against Seattle in '09, 13 touchdowns that season and his second Pro Bowl. Gore broke the Niners career rushing record in 2011, became the all time leader in rushing TDs for the Niners in '12, Gore had 2 TDs in the 2012 NFC Title game and a 110 yards rushing and a score in the Super Bowl loss. Gore rushed for over a thousand yards in his final Niners season, 2014.
17. HUGH MCELHENNY RB 1952-60 125
The King. 9th overall pick in '52, first play from scrimmage was a 40 yard TD run. Rushed for 7 yards a carry for the season and was named Rookie of the Year and First Team All Pro. First Team All Pro again in '53, the Million Dollar Backfield was formed in '54 with Perry/Tittle/John Henry Johnson and was second team All Pro. Second Team again in '56, and was 6th in the MVP in '57, the Niners lost in the playoffs to the Lions that season, McElhenny had 178 yards from scrimmage. MVP of the Pro Bowl. 4.9 career yards per carry for the Niners.
16. JOE STALEY T 2007-19 130
Gold Star Niner. Combined regular season+playoffs: 192 games, 192 starts. Vast majority at left tackle. 6 Pro Bowls, 3 second Team All pros.
15. RANDY CROSS G/C 1976-88 130
Gold Star Niner. Regular season+playoffs: 198 games, 193 starts. 3 Pro Bowls, 3 second Team All Pros, 3 Super Bowl Titles.
14. JOHN BRODIE QB 1957-73 132
Gold Star Niner. 3 different decades started at QB for the Niners. Menlo Park. Oakland Tech. Stanford. Third overall pick in '57 (Jim Brown was 6th). Took over starting job when YA Tittle was traded (for 30 years the Niners essentially had 3 starting QBs: Albert, Tittle, Brodie). 3rd in the MVP in 1965, led the league in passing yardage and TDs and won the Comeback Player of the year. MVP in 1970, led league in TD passes, yards, passer rating. The Niners won their first playoff game ever in 1970, beating the Vikings before losing the NFC Title to Dallas. The Niners lost the NFC Title game again the following year, Brodie's last full time season as starter. When Brodie retired he was third in the NFL all time in passing yards, 8th in TD passes.
13. TERRELL OWENS WR 1996-2003 133
3 First Team All pros, 4 Pro Bowls. 81 regular season TDs and 4 more in the playoffs. Game winning TD catch in the '98 Wild Card game against the Packers. 20 catch game in 2000 against the Bears, breaking a 50 year old NFL record. Led NFL in TD receptions in both '01 and '02. In the Wild Card game in '01 caught 2 TD passes and 2 two pt conversions in the Niner comeback win against the Giants.
12. ROGER CRAIG RB 1983-90 135
3rd in the MVP in '88, First team All Pro, 4 Pro Bowls. 3 Super Bowl titles. 3 TDs in the '84 Super Bowl, setting a record. In '85, first player to rush and receive for 1000 yards in a season. In the '88 Super Bowl, first player to rush and receive for over 1000 yards. 116 starts, 11,500+ yards from scrimmage. 66 TDs. In the playoffs, 1400+ yards from scrimmage, 9 TDs.
11. BOB ST CLAIR T 1953-63 140
Gold Star Niner. Hall of Fame. San Francisco Poly. USF. Blocked 19 field goals in his career. 5 second team All Pro selections, 5 Pro Bowls. 117 starts in 119 games, two achilles tendon injuries ended his career. Team Captain. Mayor of Daly City post career.
10. DAVE WILCOX OLB 1964-74 140
Gold Star Niner. Hall of Fame. The Intimidator. 144 starts in the regular season. First Team All Pro in '71 and '72. 7 Pro Bowls. 36.5 sacks, 14 picks. Starter in both the '70-71 NFC Title losses.
9. JOE PERRY RB 1948-60, '63 146
The Jet. First Black NFL MVP. First player to run for a thousand yards in back to back seasons. Retired as NFLs leading rusher. Led AAFC in rushing TDs in '48 and '49, returned a kick for a score in '49. 5th in the NFL in rushing in '50 and '51. Led NFL in rushing yards, total yards from scrimmage in '53 and '54. 3rd in MVP in '53, won it in '54. Led Niners in rushing 7 straight seasons. 79 TDs over 10,000 yards from scrimmage.
8. BRYANT YOUNG DT 1994-2007 150
Gold Star Niner. Hall of Famer. Super Bowl Champ. 219 games as a 49er, regular season/playoffs....219 starts. 7th overall pick in '94, 3rd defensive rookie of the year. Had 11.5 sacks in '96, First Team All pro, 4th in Defensive Player of the year. The 49ers were first in Defense in '97, Young was 2nd Team All pro in '98 and '99, a year in which he was Comeback Player of the Year. 89.5 career sacks, 6th all time for an interior defensive lineman. Third on the Niners all time sack list when he retired, first on the all time safeties list.
7. PATRICK WILLIS ILB 2007-14 150
Gold Star Niner. Future (I'm guessing) Hall of Famer. Regular season+playoffs, 120 games, 120 starts. 11th overall pick in 2007 (Marshawn Lynch went 12th). 11 tackles and a forced fumble in his first game. Led the league with 174 tackles his rookie year. First team all pro, defensive rookie of the year. Second in tackles the next season, started the Pro Bowl. Second team all pro. Led the league in tackles in '09. First team All pro. Career high in sacks in 2010 First team all pro. In 2011 the Niners didn't allow a rushing TD until week 16, an NFL record. Willis is the only player in Niner history selected to the Pro Bowl in his first 5 seasons. In 2012, the Niners lost the Super Bowl, Willis had 10 tackles. In 8 seasons, Willis was selected to 7 Pro Bowls. 1st Team All Pro 5 times.
6. JIMMY JOHNSON CB 1961-76 170
Gold Star Niner. Hall of Famer. Rafer Johnson's brother. Picked 6th in the '61 Draft. 4 time First Team All Pro, 4 second Team All pro. 5 Pro Bowls. Caught a game winning 80 yard TD pass in '62. 205 starts, 47 picks, recovered 7 fumbles. 40 career receptions, 4 TDs.
5. LEO NOMELLINI OT/DT 1950-63 185
The Greatest Gold Star Niner. Hall of Fame. Born in Tuscany, 11th overall pick in '50. First team All Pro on both sides of the ball. 6 time First Team All Pro, 3 time second team. 10 Pro Bowl selections. 10 Time NWA tag team champion.
4. RONNIE LOTT S/CB 1981-90 200
Through 2022, still considered the greatest safety of all time. 4 Time Super Bowl Champion. 5 Time First Team All Pro as a Niner, 9 Time Pro Bowler. 8th overall pick in '81. Took back 3 picks for scores as a rookie, 2nd in Rookie of the Year to LT. 6th in the MVP. 2 interceptions including 1 for a score in his first playoff game, the Niners first playoff game in a decade. 8 years later took back another pick for a score to open up the '89 postseason. 51 interceptions in the regular season - 8 in the playoffs. 10 picks in '86, leading the league.
3. STEVE YOUNG QB 1987-99 220
Runner up in the '83 Heisman to Mike Rozier. Acquired at 26. Threw for 10 scores (in just 69 throws) and ran for another off the bench in '87, game winning 49 yard touchdown run against the Vikings in '88, without that win the 49ers would not have made the playoffs in their third Super Bowl season. Had a 69.6% completion percentage in '89 throwing for 8 scores and running for 2 more, again, as a backup. 23 TD passes in 4 years as a backup to Joe Montana. In his first year as a starter, 1991, Young led the league in passer rating and yards/attempt. In the next 3 seasons Young won the MVP twice and was second the other year. Young was the first QB in league history to top a 100 passer rating 3 straight years. He led the league in completion % 5 times, in TD passes 4 times, in yards/attempt 5 times, in completion% six times. The Niners went to the NFC Title game 3 straight years, winning it and the Super Bowl in '94. In '94 the Niners won 10 straight games by an average of 20+ points. Young threw for 6 TDs in the Super Bowl and won the MVP. 3 time First Team All Pro, 3 Time 2nd Team. 7 Pro Bowls.
2. JOE MONTANA QB 1979-92 222
4 Time Super Bowl Champ. 3 Time Super Bowl MVP. 2 Time MVP. 3 Time All Pro. Comeback player of the year. Through 2022, record for most Super Bowl passes without a pick and has the highest career Super Bowl passer rating. Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. 7 Pro Bowls as a 49er. 92 yard TD drive to win a Super Bowl. Quarterbacked the signature play in NFL history. 26 4th Qtr comebacks with the Niners. Upon retirement, widely considered the greatest QB of all time. Went 15-1 in '84, the Niners were the first team to win 15 in the regular season. 35,000+ yards passing with the Niners. Second all time career passer rating when he retired. In the Super Bowl: 83 of 122, 1142 yards 11 TDs, no picks.
1. JERRY RICE WR 1985-00 282
3 Time Super Bowl Champ. Super Bowl MVP. 10 Times First Team All Pro. 12 Pro Bowls as a 49er. 16th overall pick in '85. Set the Niner record for receiving yards in a game against the Rams as a rookie. Offensive Rookie of of the Year. Led NFL in receiving yards 6 times, receiving TDs 6 times. 6th in the MVP in '86, in 12 games in 1987 had 22 TDs, which was the new single season record for receiving TDs. 2nd in the MVP, first WR to be named offensive player of the year. Had twice as many receiving TDs as the runner up. In the '88 divisional round, Rice had 3 scores, in the NFC Title game win, Rice had 2 scores. In the 1988 Super Bowl Rice had 11 catches, 215 yards and a score. The following year, Rice had 7 catches for 148 yards and 3 TDs in the Super Bowl. In 1990 Rice led the league in catches/receiving yards/receiving TDs, the first player to do that in the Super Bowl era. Rice set the record for most postseason receiving scores in the '92 NFC Title game. In his 3 49er Super Bowls, Rice had 28 catches, 512 yards, 7 scores, all records. Rice broke the career records for receiving yards and catches in '95. Rice had 176 career 49er TD receptions - thats the most in NFL history even without the 21 TDs he caught after leaving the team (true also for total TDs and receiving yards and total points scored - just the 49er portion of his career would still be the NFL all time leader through 2022, despite playing his full career prior to modern rule changes that have moved the passing game into hyperdrive) Also considered among the best blocking receivers of all time. Started 224 regular season games as a 49er, 23 more in the playoffs.
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