49ers: Ranking the Top 5 Defensive Players in Franchise History

Ranking the Top 5 Defensive Players in 49ers Franchise History

Dec 1, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) and inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) react after Willis recorded a sack against the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Rams 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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The 49ers have been blessed with an array of great defensive players over their history, here we look at the top five to have graced the team.

The 49ers defense is not what it used to be.

Porous against the run to a point where they finished the season ranked last in the league versus the ground game, and not much better in playing the pass, it may take some time until the Niners are dominant on that side of the ball again.

But the current crop of 49er defenders do not need to look far for inspiration.

San Francisco has been blessed with an array of talented defensive players throughout the storied history of the organization.

Here we rank the top five 49er defenders of all time.