One of the most storied franchises in the NFL has seen success in each decade. For some teams, as we saw last season, hitting on your first-round picks is the quickest way to ascend as a team. For other teams, like the San Francisco 49ers, acquiring free agents in March or via trade has proven to be a winning model.
Garrison Hearst is a great example if we want to turn back the clock. There may not be a better example than Justin Smith. Using “The Cowboy’s” 49ers teams also highlights some of the best
first-round picks the franchise has made this century:
Alex Smith – 2005
Vernon Davis – 2006
Joe Staley – 2007
Patrick Willis – 2007
Michael Crabtree – 2009
Mike Iupati – 2010
Anthony Davis – 2010
Aldon Smith -2011
Those players were drafted by Scot McCloughan and Trent Baalke, respectively. Baalke’s tenure is often criticized, but he left on a high note by drafting DeForest Buckner seventh overall in 2016. Buckner has been a first and second-team All-Pro, as well as a 3-time Pro Bowler. Arik Armstead and Jimmie Ward were playing in the NFL a decade later.
Nick Bosa may end up as the most decorated pick of this century. John Lynch can take credit for drafting a two-time All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler, and the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Who was the 49ers’ best first-round pick this century?
To begin the 2000s, Julian Peterson and Andre Carter were far from slouches. Peterson went to five Pro Bowls, while Carter had 80.5 career sacks. You have plenty of options.
The answer is probably Bosa. But he’s still playing, and his story isn’t finished.
My answer: If we’re talking in terms of credentials, then the answer is the Hall of Fame linebacker who redefined the position. Patrick Willis had more career sacks than the defensive lineman the 49ers took third overall in 2017. Fred Warner is widely acknowledged as the best linebacker in the sport for his versatility, and he’s still ten sacks short of Wills’s total.
Who is your answer? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
