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San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 players of the Jim Harbaugh era

By Adam Trovato

Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh hands off to running back Frank Gore (21) during warm up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh hands off to running back Frank Gore (21) during warm up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith (94) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6, not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith (94) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6, not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Justin Smith

Part of me wanted to make defensive end Justin Smith No. 1 on this list. He represents everything that I love about football.

Maybe even everything I love about people.

He was the most relentless, hard-working and honest football players to ever throw on a 49ers jersey. Best of all, he was incredibly strong, athletic, and talented too.

Smith was the reason San Francisco had so much success operating its 3-4 base scheme during that time.

The “Cowboy” ate up multiple blockers, allowing players like EDGE Aldon Smith to rack up the sack totals almost seamlessly.

Justin Smith retired, of course, before the 2015 season. And the Niners defense hasn’t been quite the same since.