Niner Noise
FanSided

Ranking the San Francisco 49ers GOATs at each position.

By James Jones

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)
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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 19
Next
SAN FRANCISCO – OCTOBER 3: Punter Andy Lee #4 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks the ball against the St. Louis Rams during the game at Monster Park on October 3, 2004 in San Francisco, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 24-12. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – OCTOBER 3: Punter Andy Lee #4 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks the ball against the St. Louis Rams during the game at Monster Park on October 3, 2004 in San Francisco, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 24-12. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Punter: Andy Lee

The 49ers took a punter in the fourth round of this year’s draft last April by selecting Mitch Wishnowsky. There were many experts and fans who said that the team reached far too high in taking a punter who could’ve been had in a later round.

Those people must not have been witness to the beauty who was former 49ers punter Andy Lee.

Not to mention how important having quality at the position can be to wins and losses. In a move that still makes me ill, former general manager Trent Baalke traded Lee to the Cleveland Browns after selecting Bradley Pinion in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.

In his time with the 49ers, Lee was named to three Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pros and a second-team All-Pro as well.

Trading Lee would go down as just another Baalke gaffe. He has continued his success since 2015 with his teams having averaged seventh overall in punting. Last season with the Arizona Cardinals, Lee had them at No. 1 overall. Pinion and the 49ers have averaged being the 23rd best punting team since Lee was traded.

Honorable mentions: None