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Ranking the Top Five Offensive Players in 49ers Franchise History

By Nicholas McGee

Aug 6, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Former San Fransisco players (L to R) Charley Haley and Steve Young and Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice and Joe Montana pose with former owner Edward De Bartolo Jr. (third from R) during the 2016 NFL Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; Former San Fransisco players (L to R) Charley Haley and Steve Young and Ronnie Lott and Jerry Rice and Joe Montana pose with former owner Edward De Bartolo Jr. (third from R) during the 2016 NFL Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) carries the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) carries the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Frank Gore

Few would have predicted that when the 49ers spent a third-round pick on a running back with a history of knee problems that he would become the 49ers all-time leading rusher.

But Frank Gore has surpassed expectations throughout his career and now has a legitimate case to be inducted to the Hall of Fame.

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Boasting a perfect combination of vision, patience, power and ability to slip through small creases, Gore has been surprisingly durable and only twice failed to surpass 1,000 during his time with the Niners.

Gore has gradually worn down as all running backs do in their thirties, but remained an integral part of the 49ers team that went to three NFC Championship games under Jim Harbaugh.

There is an argument that a reluctance to give the ball to Gore at the end of Super Bowl XLVII cost the 49ers a title and Gore a ring.

Yet even without a ring, Gore will go down in 49ers legend and has a great resume to one day be inducted into Canton.