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) /
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SAN FRANCISCO – NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) 49ers Hall of Famers Y.A. Tittle, Joe Perry stand next to Bob St. Clair who speaks to the fans during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Candlestick Park on November 18, 1990 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 31-7. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) 49ers Hall of Famers Y.A. Tittle, Joe Perry stand next to Bob St. Clair who speaks to the fans during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Candlestick Park on November 18, 1990 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 31-7. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

Offensive Tackle: Bob St. Clair

This might be the most difficult position to determine who is the greatest 49er ever. Joe Staley has certainly done much to stake his claim as the best left tackle the team has ever seen. However, since we’re going for greatest tackle overall, the nod has to go to Bob St. Clair.

St. Clair was what is referred to as a 49ers lifer. He was born in San Francisco, attended college at San Francisco State and was drafted by the Niners in the third round of the 1953 NFL Draft. My father has told me many stories about what an amazing player and man St. Clair was.

His 11 seasons in the NFL produced five Pro Bowl nods and four all-NFL selections overall. He was the consummate offensive lineman and loved hitting opposing players. He once said knocking a man down was the only satisfaction a lineman had.

St. Clair was adept at both pass and run blocking. But standing 6-foot-9, he was also amazing on special teams. in 1956 he blocked an astounding 10 field goals. He was also used on defense in goal-line situations.

Honorable mentions: Joe Staley, Steve Wallace, Harris Barton