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San Francisco 49ers: 10 players who looked far too weird in other teams’ uniforms

By Peter Panacy

Sep 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) runs off the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Indianapolis won 35-33. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) runs off the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Indianapolis won 35-33. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL: Kansas City Chiefs-Alex Smith Press Conference. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Kansas City Chiefs-Alex Smith Press Conference. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 9: Quarterback Alex Smith

Similar to linebacker Aldon Smith, the 49ers were hoping to get their next cornerstone player when they selected Utah quarterback Alex Smith with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.

49ers fans know the subsequent story, though. On a team bereft of talent, and under a consistently rotating door of offensive coordinators, Smith struggled over his first five seasons in San Francisco.

Smith dealt with injuries, benching and all sorts of criticism for his efforts on the field.

Things changed in 2011 when the 49ers tabbed Jim Harbaugh as head coach. Under Harbaugh, Smith turned his career around and led the Niners to the NFC Championship game versus the New York Giants. Smith looked to be more of the same effective quarterback the following year, but a concussion in Week 8 that season opened up the door for then-backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

With Kap under center, Smith became an excess commodity. The 49ers traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs the following offseason.

Smith enjoyed success with the Chiefs before being traded to the Washington Redskins in 2018.