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San Francisco 49ers NFL Draft history: Best player taken in each round

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Former member of the San Francisco 49ers Jerry Rice looks on against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Former member of the San Francisco 49ers Jerry Rice looks on against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Former San Francisco 49ers player Jerry Rice on the sideline before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Former San Francisco 49ers player Jerry Rice on the sideline before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1: Wide Receiver Jerry Rice

Selected No. 15 overall in the 1985 NFL Draft

It couldn’t be anyone else.

Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is, without argument, the best player in NFL history. So he’s the clear-cut Round 1 winner in San Francisco draft history.

More from SF 49ers All-Time Lists

Rice’s stat lines read like the Greek classics — impossible tales of greatness and legend, only to be believed if you actually witnessed it.

Fortunately, many did.

But Rice in a Niners uniform almost never happened.

Then-head coach Bill Walsh managed to engineer a trade with the New England Patriots just before the 1985 NFL Draft. San Francisco sent off its 28th, 56th and 84th picks to get New England’s 15th and 75th selections.

And at No. 15, Rice found his way to the 49ers and the beginning phases of a path to football immortality.

Next. 49ers' 15 best draft-day steals of all time. dark

Great job, Bill. Even greater, Jerry.

Honorable Mentions: S Ronnie Lott (No. 8 overall), CB Jimmy Johnson (No. 6 overall), DT Leo Nomellini (No. 11 overall), DT Bryant Young (No. 7 overall), RB Hugh McElhenny (No. 9 overall), LB Patrick Willis (No. 11 overall), OT Joe Staley (No. 28 overall)