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San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 NFL Draft classes in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

10 Sep 2000: Ronnie Lott of the Ex-San Francisco 49ers talks to the crowd with Dave Wilcox and Joe Montana during the game against the Carolina Panthers at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 38-22.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
10 Sep 2000: Ronnie Lott of the Ex-San Francisco 49ers talks to the crowd with Dave Wilcox and Joe Montana during the game against the Carolina Panthers at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 38-22.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 21: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a victory against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 21, 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri. The 49ers beat the Rams 17-16. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 21: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a victory against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 21, 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri. The 49ers beat the Rams 17-16. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

No. 4: 2007 49ers NFL Draft Class

Drafted Players Table
Rnd Player Pick Pos Yrs From To College/Univ
1 Patrick Willis 11 LB 8 2007 2014 Mississippi
1 Joe Staley 28 T 11 2007 2017 Central Michigan
3 Jason Hill 76 WR 6 2007 2012 Washington St.
3 Ray McDonald 97 DE 8 2007 2014 Florida
4 Jay Moore 104 DE Nebraska
4 Dashon Goldson 126 DB 10 2007 2016 Washington
4 Joe Cohen 135 DT 1 2009 2009 Florida
5 Tarell Brown 147 DB 9 2007 2015 Texas
6 Thomas Clayton 186 RB Kansas St.

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/23/2018.

The late 2000s are generally a time most 49ers fans would like to forget.

One thing they won’t forget, though, is how big the 2007 NFL Draft class was, especially when looking at some of the names then-general manager Scot McCloughan brought aboard.

This class is highlighted, of course, by two fan favorites — linebacker Patrick Willis and offensive tackle Joe Staley. Even though Willis’ storied career was cut short by injuries, there was a time when he was viewed as the best linebacker in the NFL.

Making seven Pro Bowls, along with five All-Pro selections, in his eight-year career is a testament to such.

Similarly, Staley has been a mainstay for San Francisco’s offensive line all the way through the late 2010s. His mark of six Pro Bowls also tells you what you need to know.

This class would have been impressive with just those two names. But it got better. McCloughan nabbed defenders Ray McDonald, Dashon Goldson and Tarell Brown all played integral roles for the 49ers when they started making the postseason again under Jim Harbaugh.