Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 10 most underrated players in franchise history

By Peter Panacy

January 14, 1990: Wide receiver John Taylor of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game, 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport
January 14, 1990: Wide receiver John Taylor of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game, 30-3. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport /
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Wide receiver J. J. Stokes of the San Francisco 49ers (Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport)
Wide receiver J. J. Stokes of the San Francisco 49ers (Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport) /

7. player. 42. . Wide Receiver. 49ers Tenure: 1995-2002. J.J. Stokes

Let’s face it: Being asked to eventually fill the shoes Jerry Rice would leave would have been an impossible task for any top-tier wide receiver.

So, needless to say, there was a tremendous amount of pressure on wide receiver J.J. Stokes when the 49ers drafted him 10th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft.

Rice stuck around a bit longer than expected, as we all know, and Stokes has made it on a number of “draft bust” lists here and there.

But those who consider him a bust should note the fact he still ranks 12th on the franchise’s all-time list for both receptions (327) and receiving yards (4,139). In contrast, former Niners wideout Michael Crabtree, selected 10th overall in 2009, ranks 10th and 11th in those same categories, respectively.

And Crabtree never had to work under Rice, and later, Terrell Owens‘ collective shadow.

Sure, Stokes had trouble catching the ball. And he never turned into a true No. 1 receiver during his San Francisco tenure. But his consistent production between his rookie year and the eventual 49ers downfall of the early 2000s is worth noting.