Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 NFL Draft picks who never lived up to the hype

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 12: Wide receiver Rashaun Woods #81 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the game at 3Com Park on September 12, 2004 in San Francisco, California. The Falcons won 21-19. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 12: Wide receiver Rashaun Woods #81 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the game at 3Com Park on September 12, 2004 in San Francisco, California. The Falcons won 21-19. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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Andres Vige #10 the N.E Louisiana tackled by Reggie McGrew #92 of the Florida Gators (Mandatory Credit: Getty Images)
Andres Vige #10 the N.E Louisiana tackled by Reggie McGrew #92 of the Florida Gators (Mandatory Credit: Getty Images) /

player. 840. . Defensive Tackle. Gators . Reggie McGrew. 3

You could make the argument the 49ers’ worst first-round NFL Draft choice of all time was former Florida defensive tackle Reggie McGrew, whom the Niners selected with the 24th overall pick in the 1999 draft.

McGrew had a good deal of hype coming out of Florida, earning first-team All-SEC honors after his junior year.

And San Francisco was looking to get some solid interior defensive production, too, hoping McGrew would plug the middle of the line in an attempt to finally overcome all those years of losing to quarterback Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs.

The idea was McGrew would be a chief difference maker. But it never came close to happening.

McGrew didn’t play his rookie season, which was quite the shocker after being so hyped in college. And then he was featured only in limited roles the following two seasons in San Francisco, appearing in 22 games, recording 11 tackles and one lone sack, which proved to be the only one of his pro career.

The Niners waived goodbye to McGrew in 2002, and he’d play just one more year with the Atlanta Falcons before being out of the league in 2003.