Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: The All-Decade Team from 2010 through 2016

By Peter Panacy

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Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback

All-Decade QB: Colin Kaepernick

We have only three quarterbacks to choose from here — Alex Smith, Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick.

And the all-decade selection has to go to the final guy on that shortlist.

Kaepernick may be surrounded by scrutiny right now, and there’s no guarantee he’ll even start in 2016 after what was a disappointing and injury-riddled 2015 campaign.

Still, who could forget Kap’s efforts in 2012 and 2013 — years in which he nearly won a Super Bowl with San Francisco and just barely lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game the subsequent year?

And remember how the rest of the league reacted to his breakout 2012 season?

That’s the Kaepernick who makes this list.

Kap has fallen on hard times since, to be sure. But we cannot overlook how dynamic a threat he was when he was at his peak.

More from Niner Noise

It’s funny how so many of the best Niners players of the current decade stem from San Francisco’s best teams dating back to 2010. Not surprisingly, many of these players comprised the group which made it to three consecutive NFC Championship games between 2011 and 2013.

Best players tend to do that sort of thing.

Maybe, just maybe, a number of up-and-coming 49ers will wind up cracking these list over the next five years.

And when we sit down to evaluate the best San Francisco players from 2010 through 2019, we’ll be able to throw in the likes of defensive ends DeForest Buckner or Arik Armstead. Maybe linebacker Aaron Lynch or even wide receiver Aaron Burbridge will be on the list.

We can only hope.

Next: 10 Worst Quarterbacks in 49ers History

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.