San Francisco 49ers: 10 best rookie seasons in franchise history

Best rookie seasons in San Francisco 49ers history: No. 1: CB, Ronnie Lott (1981)

We started this list with a 49er who produced for a Super Bowl team as a rookie, and we’re ending it with one, too.

The 49ers defensive secondary was filled with rookies in the 1981 Super Bowl season. Strong safety Carlton Williamson had been taken in the third round. Cornerback Eric Wright had been taken in the second round. Their grizzled veteran was Dwight Hicks at all of 25 years old.

That young secondary should have had growing pains; instead, they thrived on their way to the Super Bowl.

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The best of all of them, though, was Ronnie Lott, taken with the eighth overall pick out of USC.

He didn’t win Rookie of the Year honors—that went to Lawrence Taylor—but it was clear from the moment he stepped onto the field at training camp that he was the real deal. He was manhandling receivers with years of experience, getting in their face and making their lives miserable. Lott had seven interceptions, returning three of them for touchdowns, and recovered a couple of fumbles as well.

He was all over the field, instantly proving himself as the most talented defender on the team.

Lott easily was named to the All-Pro team, an honor that would become routine for him. Lott’s Super Bowl win just squeaks past Willis for the top spot, all-time, among 49ers rookies.

One can only hope each year produces rookie talent in the likes of these 10 standouts.