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49ers NFL Draft history: Top 5 defensive backs drafted in the 2000s

By Safa Shooshtry

Secondary Coach Ed Donatell of the San Francisco 49ers talks with Tarell Brown #25, Carlos Rogers #22, Tramaine Brock #26 and Donte Whitner #31 (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Secondary Coach Ed Donatell of the San Francisco 49ers talks with Tarell Brown #25, Carlos Rogers #22, Tramaine Brock #26 and Donte Whitner #31 (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers
Ahmed Plummer #29 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Cornerback Ahmed Plummer

Another player who was a solid starter for multiple years with the 49ers was cornerback Ahmed Plummer. A first-round pick (24th overall) in 2000 out of Ohio State, Plummer became a starter immediately in his rookie season. For his performance that season he was named to the 2000 NFL All-Rookie team.

Plummer avoided the sophomore slump and had a highly productive season in 2001. That season he posted what would be career highs with seven interceptions and 18 passes defended. Those contributions helped the 49ers to a 12-4 regular-season finish and a trip to the playoffs.

Plummer would go onto to play for six seasons with the 49ers, being a key starter in most of those campaigns. But after back-to-back injury-riddled seasons in 2004 and 2005, in which he only played nine games total, he decided to retire before the 2006 season.

Plummer was another player who never reached Pro Bowl or All-Pro potential, but his presence on the field was felt. When he was healthy he was a starter for the 49ers. Lasting six seasons and ending his tenure in the league due to injury rather than poor play also puts him ahead of many of the defensive backs drafted by the team lately.