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Ranking the Top 5 Defensive Players in 49ers Franchise History

By Nicholas McGee

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
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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NFL: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
NFL: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions /

5. Deion Sanders

What defines greatness? Is it longevity or is just the quality of play? If we’re just going to look at the latter, then Deion Sanders unquestionably deserves to be on the list.

The man known as ‘Primetime’ spent just one season with the Niners after coming over as a free agent from the Atlanta Falcons. However, it was a year that brought a Super Bowl title and one of the most dominant defensive seasons of all time.

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Sanders lived up to his billing as a lockdown corner, recording six interceptions and returning three of them for touchdowns as the 49ers surged to a 13-3 record, powering past the Bears and Cowboys before making light work of the Chargers in a Super Bowl XXIX blowout.

His stunning season brought Defensive Player of the Year honors for Sanders and, though he immediately left for the Cowboys, Prime should be remembered fondly for his substantial contribution to the 49ers’ last Super Bowl title.