49ers: 5 best late-round NFL Draft picks of the century

NFL Draft: 49ers 5 best late-round draft picks of the century

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Delanie Walker #46 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball into the endzone for a 29 yard touchdown catch and run against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter of an NFL football game at Candlestick Park on September 18, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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Andy Lee #4 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Hunt for a Good Punt

In the 2004 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected punter Andy Lee out of Pittsburgh in the sixth round (188th overall). And in those days, punting was a big need for the team. The team would finish the season with a record of 2-14. Also, their offense was ranked third to last in the league. Needless to say, there was a lot of punting.

Lee came in during the 2004 season and got to work immediately. He played in all 16 games that season. He would punt 96 times that season and total 3,990 yards punted.

Lee’s first defining season came in 2007. The Niners that season would finish dead last in total offense. He would punt the ball 105 times for 4,968 total yards punted. He would receive both his first Pro Bowl selection as well as his first All-Pro selection that season.

Lee finished his career with the 49ers with three Pro Bowl and three All-Pro selections. He went on to play for three more teams. And he just finished the 2019 season with the Arizona Cardinals, marking the completion of his 16th season.

And though punters are typically weighted less than other positions, he was a steal for San Francisco in 2004.