Niner Noise
FanSided

Ranking 10 best 49ers wide receivers taken in NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (80) lines up during a 20-13 victory over the Detroit Lions on October 2, 1988, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, (Photo by Dan Honda/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (80) lines up during a 20-13 victory over the Detroit Lions on October 2, 1988, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, (Photo by Dan Honda/Getty Images) /
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Dwight Clark, 49ers
Dwight Clark #87 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Dwight Clark

No. 249 Overall, 1979 NFL Draft

As far as most-beloved 49ers players of all time, it’s hard to keep the late great, Dwight Clark, off the very top of that list.

Either way, Clark lands on plenty of Niners-best lists, including the one ranking out the best drafted in franchise history. Most will know the former Clemson Tiger for “The Catch” in the 1982 NFC Championship game against the Dallas Cowboys, of course, as well as his noble battle with ALS, which ultimately claimed his life.

But beyond the famous play and inspiring story, it’s impressive to note Clark actually lands third all time on the 49ers list of total receiving yards (6,750) despite being a 10th-round NFL Draft pick.

In fact, Clark wasn’t even on head coach Bill Walsh’s radar before the 1979 NFL Draft.

Walsh wanted to scout Clemson quarterback Steve Fuller. As the story goes, there weren’t any receivers around for Fuller to target aside from the quarterback’s roommate, Clark.

Well, needless to say, Clark made an impression on the Hall of Fame coach.

The rest isn’t just 49ers history, its franchise lore. And deservedly so.