Niner Noise
FanSided

Ranking 49ers 10 best NFL Draft picks of the decade

By Josh Altorfer

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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Devonta Freeman #24 NaVorro Bowman #53 (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Linebacker NaVorro Bowman

2010 NFL Draft

Round 3, Pick No. 91

The NFL may never again see an elite linebacking core as they did with Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman.

Bowman had four dominant seasons with the 49ers in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015. He should be regarded as one of the top defensive players of the decade in the entire NFL. Not just a top 49ers player.

He made three Pro Bowl teams, including the year he led the Niners defensive unit to the Super Bowl in 2013. He led the team in tackles over Willis that year with 120, too.

Bowman was a dominant force in the league for half the decade and a very solid player throughout almost all of it. It’s fair to say that he far surpassed his third-round NFL Draft value. He should be regarded as one of the best defensive players and leaders the Niners have ever had.