Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: The all-time team in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 06: Edward DeBartolo, Jr. (3rd R), former San Francisco 49ers Owner, is seen with his bronze bust alongside former San Francisco 49ers, Charles Haley (L), Steve Young (2nd L), Ronnie Lott (3rd L), Jerry Rice (2nd R) and Joe Montana (R) during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 06: Edward DeBartolo, Jr. (3rd R), former San Francisco 49ers Owner, is seen with his bronze bust alongside former San Francisco 49ers, Charles Haley (L), Steve Young (2nd L), Ronnie Lott (3rd L), Jerry Rice (2nd R) and Joe Montana (R) during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith (94) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith (94) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

Cedric Hardman

Justin Smith

Leo Nomellini

Bryant Young

Defensive end Cedric Hardman remains the franchise leader in sacks, totaling 120 during his career with the 49ers spanning from 1970 through 1979. Selected by San Francisco in Round 1 of the 1970 NFL Draft, the 49ers got a pass-rushing force who was known for putting pressure on the opposition’s quarterback.

And Hardman did so better than any other 49er.

While not as noteworthy of a pass-rusher — he did have 43.5 with San Francisco — defensive end Justin Smith certainly earned his stripes in a 49ers uniform during his tenure from 2008 through 2014.

When Smith retired in 2015, the veteran had accumulated 299 tackles and five-straight Pro Bowl selections spanning from 2009 through 2013.

Defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield earns an honorable mention for an all-time slot, the other best-of-the-best nominee is Leo Nomellini, who played with the 49ers from 1950 through 1963 and accumulated 10 Pro Bowls to his credit before being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

And defensive tackle Bryant Young is another player impossible to leave off this list.

The four-time Pro Bowler spent most of his career playing as a defensive tackle, only to switch to the end position later in his career. During that span, Young amassed 512 tackles, 106 assists and 89.5 sacks.

Young was more than durable, missing no more than four games during any of his 14 professional seasons, and most of those came at the beginning of his career.

Backups:

Fred Dean, Defensive End

Dwaine Board, Defensive End

Cleveland Elam, Defensive Tackle

DeForest Buckner, Defensive Tackle