Niner Noise
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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: Pro Football Hall of Fame-Enshrinement
NFL: Pro Football Hall of Fame-Enshrinement /

1. Ronnie Lott

In addition to being the best defensive player in the 49ers’ history, Ronnie Lott may also be the top NFL safety of all time.

Versatile with the ability to play cornerback, free safety and strong safety, Lott made an impact from anywhere on the field, serving as a ballhawk and a hard hitter who made his presence felt over the middle.

“He’s like a middle linebacker playing safety,” Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry said of Lott – per the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “He’s devastating. He may dominate the secondary better than anyone I’ve seen.”

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Lott was most dominant from the free safety spot, racking up a career-high 10 interceptions, 77 tackles, two sacks and three forced fumbles in a 1986 season in which he missed the final two games through injury.

The 1986 season was the first of two in which he led the league in interceptions, yet it is tough to pick out a single season of Lott’s that can be recongized as his best.

Indeed, his was a career in which he excelled with remarkable consistency, with Lott named to the Pro Bowl 10 times and earning first-team All-Pro honors on eight occasions.

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Having won four Super Bowls with the 49ers, been named to the 1980s All-Decade team and secured his place in the Hall of Fame, no San Francisco player has a more sparkling resume than Lott, and he rightly sits atop this list.