Niner Noise
FanSided

Ranking the 49ers’ top 10 special teamers of all time

By Aaron Tan

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Bradley Pinion #5 of the San Francisco 49ers punts the ball away against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Bradley Pinion #5 of the San Francisco 49ers punts the ball away against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 03: Phil Dawson #9 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after his game winning 23-yard field goal in overtime against the St. Louis Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 03: Phil Dawson #9 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after his game winning 23-yard field goal in overtime against the St. Louis Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Kicker Phil Dawson

This is a personal pick.

Phil Dawson was admittedly the first kicker I saw on the 49ers. I did not see much of Joe Nedney at all, and while his stats may be slightly better than Dawson’s, the latter’s consistency will always set the bar for what a kicker should be like in the NFL.

Dawson is called the “Ageless Wonder” for a reason. He does not have the most powerful leg, and he seems to be currently regressing on the Arizona Cardinals, but he would always kick the ball through the uprights with pinpoint accuracy.

Dawson was the first reliable kicker I saw on the 49ers. Because of that, he more than deserves the No. 3 spot on this list.