Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 best tight ends in franchise history

By Logan Stanley

Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
SAN FRANCISCO – NOVEMBER 15: Tight end Brent Jones #84 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his 8-yard touchdown reception with :46 left to win the game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on November 15, 1992 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 21-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – NOVEMBER 15: Tight end Brent Jones #84 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his 8-yard touchdown reception with :46 left to win the game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on November 15, 1992 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 21-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Brent Jones

49ers Tenure: 1987 – 1997

Pro Bowl Selections: 4

Until recently, Brent Jones was the clear cut choice for being the 49ers all-time tight end. No one came close to Jones in terms of touchdowns, yards and receptions. With the drafting of a certain individual out of the University of Maryland, that all changed.

So, who was Brent Jones?

It was actually by chance that Jones ended up with the team in the first place. Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1986, a car accident resulted in Jones sustaining a herniated disc. This proved to be too risky for the Steelers, who decided to let go of Jones following his accident. He was signed as a free agent by the Niners in 1987, where he worked his way up the depth chart.

By 1989, Jones was the starting tight end for San Francisco, and by 1992, he was a Pro Bowler. Jones would finish his career with four Pro Bowl Selections (1992-1995) and left the 49ers as their all-time leader in every major receiving category for tight ends. His 5,195 yards, 33 touchdowns and 417 receptions are now second most on the 49ers leaderboards.

Who’s first? The next guy on the list.