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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Delanie Walker #46 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: A Swiss Army Knife for Life

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected tight end Delanie Walker out of Central Missouri State in the sixth round (175th overall). Walker’s primary position was tight end, but he was employed in a variety of ways on the field with the 49ers as he also lined up at fullback.

Walker established himself as a Swiss Army knife, so to say for San Francisco. He did a variety of things on the field. He was able to block, run the ball, return kicks and catch passes. However, he never established himself as the primary tight end on the 49ers as Vernon Davis was also on the roster.

After seven seasons with the Niners, Walker signed with the Tennessee Titans where he became the featured tight end. His best seasons came as a member of the Titans. In 2015, Walker notched his first 1,000-plus yard season. He had 94 receptions for 1,088 yards and earned his first Pro Bowl selection.

Walker went on to have three Pro Bowl selections as a member of the Titans. And although he ended up on injured reserve the past two seasons, he looks to come back and dominate in 2020, and continue to show why he was a late-round steal.