10-6
10. LB Aldon Smith | 2011 | Pick 7
Smith is one of the hardest players to place on this list. His career was cut short due to an off-field battle with substance abuse, and he wound up playing just 50 games for the 49ers. However, he was dominant through his first two seasons and landed on an All-Pro team after racking up 19.5 sacks in his second season. His 33.5 sacks through his first two years are still the most ever, and his presence on the edge helped elevate San Francisco’s defense to an elite level when he was on the field.
9. WR Michael Crabtree | 2009 | Pick 10
It was a tumultuous six years for Crabtree in a 49ers uniform, but he managed to be a productive player and a vital piece of their receiving corps during their run to the Super Bowl in the 2012 season. That year was his best with 85 catches for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns. Crabtree was also excellent during their postseason run that year – hauling in 20 balls for 285 yards and three touchdowns in three games. He finished his time in San Francisco with 347 catches, 4,327 yards and 26 touchdowns.
8. OT Mike McGlinchey | 2018 | Pick 9
The 49ers badly needed stability on the right side of their offensive line, and McGlinchey quickly provided it. He’s improved as a pass blocker through his first two seasons, and he continues to be one of the NFL’s best run blockers at the right tackle spot. Perhaps it’s recency bias that has McGlinchey as high as No. 8, but he’s been an essential piece of the 49ers’ turnaround, and he projects to be a stalwart on the offensive front for a long time.
7. OL Mike Iupati | 2010 | Pick 17
A short career in San Francisco makes it easy to forget just how dominant Iupati was during his tenure. He started all 75 games he played in his five seasons, made three Pro Bowls and earned an All-Pro nod. His dominance on the left side of the offensive line helped spark the 49ers’ rapid emergence as an NFC contender in the early part of last decade.
6. LB Julian Peterson | 2000 | Pick 16
Peterson was probably ahead of his time at linebacker. The Michigan State product was the 49ers’ first pick of the 21st century, and he turned in a fine career in red and gold. He spent six years in the Bay Area and started 72 of his 79 games. Peterson regularly filled up the stat sheet, and finished his 49ers career with 402 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, five interceptions and 40 pass breakups. He was the type of athletic linebacker who could step onto the field and thrive in 2020.