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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Tom Rathman #44, Running Back for the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport/Getty Images)
Tom Rathman #44, Running Back for the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport/Getty Images) /

42. . Running Back. 49ers Tenure: 1986-1993. Tom Rathman. 4. player

Another name familiar to 49ers fans but not exactly recognized in NFL circles is fullback Tom Rathman.

Being a fullback, Rathman was never going to see the stat numbers former Niners tailback Roger Craig enjoyed during his stellar career. And with fullbacks a dying breed in today’s NFL, it’s easy to see why league-wide recollection might leave out a player like Rathman’s overall impact.

But when it came to being a bruising lead blocker and short-yardage guy, few others could get the job done like Rathman.

Between 1986 and 1993, the 49ers finished in the top three in rushing four times. And while a lot of the credit goes to San Francisco’s tailbacks, Rathman needs to get his due for opening holes and engaging in more than a few key blocks.

Sometimes what you do doesn’t reflect on the stat sheet, which is why Rathman has been so underrated in NFL memory.