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San Francisco 49ers: 5 best NFL free agency signings in franchise history

By Titus Briseno

Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith (94) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6, not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith (94) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6, not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Deion Sanders attends a NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Deion Sanders attends a NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers have a rich history. History is made over time as a team is built, and there are many ways to build that team. The 49ers have historically struck gold when testing the free agency market, and here are the five best NFL free agency finds in 49ers history.

NFL talent is found everywhere and nowhere all at once.

Some teams are built off of the NFL Draft, some teams rely on free-agent signings and some teams find international rugby stars to play their first snap of professional football in the NFL.

Oh, wait.

However you slice it, there is talent to be found.

In recent years, the San Francisco 49ers have been relatively silent in the free agent market. Except when it comes to losing players to free agency. Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore and Alex Boone are just a few victims (or victors) of the market.

But if you dig even just a little, you can find some of the treasures that the 49ers have found in the free-agent market.

Some have been total busts, but some have produced Hall of Fame stats during their years with the 49ers.

So what are top five 49ers free-agent signings of all time? Let’s start here.