San Francisco 49ers: Regrading Each Niners’ NFL Draft Class from the Last 10 Years

2006 NFL Draft

Round 1 – Vernon Davis, TE
Round 1 – Manny Lawson, DE
Round 3 – Brandon Williams, WR
Round 4 – Michael Robinson, WR
Round 5 – Parys Haralson, LB
Round 6 – Delanie Walker, TE
Round 6 – Marcus Hudson, DB
Round 6 – Melvin Oliver, DE
Round 7 – Vickiel Vaughn, DB

San Francisco’s 2006 draft class ended up being a pretty good one, and it started with the sixth overall pick and selection of tight end Vernon Davis.

Then-head coach Mike Nolan was still acting as the team’s general manager and put together one of the better draft classes of his tenure. Defensive end, turned linebacker Manny Lawson had a decent, if not stellar, career with San Francisco. But two of the better gems came from Rounds 5 and 6.

The Niners landed linebacker Parys Haralson and tight end Delanie Walker, respectively — two components who helped usher in the next phase of Niner greatness.

Best Pick: Vernon Davis

Davis’ recent efforts with the Niners — prior to the 2015 trade that sent him to the Denver Broncos — may have left a sour taste in 49ers fans’ mouths, but the versatile tight end was still one of the most productive at his position in franchise history.

He still ranks tops among all 49ers tight ends with 5,640 receiving yards to his credit. And he also emerged as one of the better blockers despite some early difficulties here.

Worst Pick: Manny Lawson

OK, so we noted Lawson had a decent career in San Francisco. But the problem is Lawson was selected at No. 22 overall and never lived up to his first-round status.

The Niners needed pass-rushing help, and Lawson was supposed to supply that. He did, somewhat, in 2009 with 6.5 sacks. But injuries in 2007 likely thwarted what could have been a solid career.

Grade: B

Next: 2007 NFL Draft