49ers: Ranking San Francisco's GOATs at each position

Ranking the San Francisco 49ers GOATs at each position.

By James Jones | Jul 24, 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 20: Former San Francisco 49ers player Jerry Rice is seen during a ceremony honoring the 1981-82 team at halftime of the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi's Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

11 of 19

SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 23: Bryant Young #97 of the San Francisco 49ers is introduced in his last career home game during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Monster Park December 23, 2007 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images /

Defensive Tackle: Bryant Young

After being drafted No. 7 overall in the 1994 NFL Draft, Bryant Young became a permanent fixture on the defensive line. His play along with a relentless work ethic led to Young becoming the 49ers all-time sack leader with 89.5, a record he still holds to this day.

His athletic ability and drive were never more present than in 1999, the season after he sustained a horrific broken leg on a Monday night game against the New York Giants. In that season he played in all 16 games and posted 41 tackles, five passes defended and 11 sacks.

Oh, and he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award as well.

Young was a leader on the field and in the locker room. He was highly respected by his teammates and feared by his opponents. He is a four-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the 49ers in 1994.

Honorable mentions: Leo Nomellini, Dana Stubblefield