The 49ers have capitalized on some legendary players selected in the NFL Draft during Round 4 and later, including these 10 best day-three picks.
Every year, San Francisco 49ers fans debate and argue what the team should do with its top pick in the NFL Draft.
Round 1 selections are always fun to look at. They’re the players expected to provide the most impact, potentially en route to becoming perennial Pro Bowlers or even possible Hall of Fame candidates.
Except it doesn’t always pan out that way.
All too often, players selected much later in the draft wind up being the best contributors. While almost never receiving as much attention, hype or focus, prospects selected in Round 4 or later can wind up being just as vital to any team’s efforts.
Sometimes winding up in that Hall of Fame category.
Fortunately, and including the recent years under general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, the Niners have capitalized on some excellent day-three selections in the NFL Draft. Many of these proverbial “draft diamonds in the rough” have turned into cornerstone players over the years.
Including the top 10 whom San Francisco selected from Round 4 and onward.
But first, let’s not forget some honorable mentions.
49ers Late-Round NFL Draft Honorable Mentions
- OT Steve Wallace — Round 4, 1986 NFL Draft
- CB Don Griffin — Round 6, 1986 NFL Draft
- LB Dre Greenlaw — Round 5, 2019 NFL Draft
- LS Brian Jennings — Round 7, 2000 NFL Draft
- P Andy Lee — Round 6, 2004 NFL Draft
No. 10: 49ers Linebacker Parys Haralson
Round 5, No. 140 Overall in the 2006 NFL Draft
Linebacker Parys Haralson wasn’t necessarily a star defender during his seven-year tenure in San Francisco, but he was awfully reliable and consistent.
It doesn’t help he was mostly overshadowed by the player the 49ers added a year after Haralson was drafted, fellow linebacker Patrick Willis, and Haralson was eventually replaced as an edge rusher by Aldon Smith in 2011.
Between those years, though, Haralson emerged as a regular starter and finished his Niners career with 21.5 sacks, 210 tackles, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
That’s about as solid a production level over a long period of time any team would expect out of a day-three NFL Draft pick, and Haralson was quietly one of the fanbase’s favorites even though he didn’t receive anywhere near the credit or recognition some of San Francisco’s other defensive stars got during that period.
Still, a player of Haralson’s caliber is always a good find in Round 5.
No. 9: 49ers Offensive Guard Eric Heitmann
Round 7, No. 239 Overall in the 2002 NFL Draft
Unfortunately for the 49ers’ first of three seventh-round picks from the 2002 NFL Draft, former Stanford offensive lineman Eric Heitmann didn’t exactly enjoy bright times with the team drafting him.
The Niners used to have a trend of not starting rookies along their offensive line during the 2000s and early 2010s, yet Heitman quickly broke into the starting lineup his rookie year. That alone isn’t bad for a seventh-round pick.
But what Heitmann even more remarkable was being able to serve as a regular starter for the entirety of his eight-year career outside of his 2003 campaign where an injury cut his season in half.
Heitmann moved around between left guard and center during his career and was one of the few mainstays along San Francisco’s O-line during a time when the team was generally bad.
At least Heitmann managed to make a positive impact before a back injury prematurely ended his career after 2009.
No. 8: 49ers Safety Merton Hanks
Round 5, No. 122 Overall in the 1991 NFL Draft
Some could argue defensive back Merton Hanks belongs much higher on this list, and that’s a very strong point.
It wouldn’t be easy for anybody to come in right away and replace the prowess left by Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, but that’s precisely what Hanks was asked to do in 1992, a year after the 49ers drafted him in Round 5 of the 1991 NFL Draft.
Hanks shifted from cornerback to free safety and never looked back. From 1994 through 1997, Hanks would be a regular Pro Bowler along with being a 1995 first-team All-Pro. During his epic career where he helped redefine the Niners secondary in the wake of Lott’s departure, Hanks would record 474 tackles, three forced fumbles and 31 interceptions.
Those 31 picks still rank fourth all time on San Francisco’s leaderboard, and no defensive back has come close since.
No. 7: 49ers EDGE Tommy Hart
Round 10, No. 261 Overall in the 1968 NFL Draft
It’s time to go way back into the 49ers history books to look at the No. 7 late-round NFL Draft pick, EDGE Tommy Hart, out of Morris Brown.
Perhaps the reason why Hart pops onto this list is the fact the draft no longer goes beyond seven rounds now, so it’s almost tough to imagine someone selected in Round 10 making much of an impact.
Except Hart did.
Hart spent 10 years with the Niners, and perhaps no other unit was formidable in 1976 than the team’s defensive line, nicknamed the “Gold Rush,” which featured both Hart and the late great defensive end, Cedric Hardman.
That year, Hart recorded six sacks in one game against the Los Angeles Rams, even though sacks weren’t an official stat just yet.
Regardless, Hart was a big reason why San Francisco unofficially credited its D-line with 61 sacks in 1976.
Just imagine that kind of production in today’s NFL.
No. 6: 49ers Tight End George Kittle
Round 6, No. 146 Overall in the 2017 NFL Draft
Recent bias might put 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle a bit higher on this list, as he’s still only had just four seasons with the team since being selected as an obscure prospect out of Iowa in Round 5 of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Only to go on to become the best player at his position within the entire NFL and one of the league’s best offensive weapons overall.
Kittle, of course, set the single-season record for most receiving yards by a tight end (1,377) in 2018 despite having three different quarterbacks throwing the ball to him. A year later, Pro Football Focus named Kittle the league’s best overall player that season.
Impressive.
One should expect Kittle to maintain his ascent up the ranks of San Francisco’s best late-round NFL Draft picks, especially as he continues to make exceptional impact, both in terms of stats and blocking prowess.
So, why didn’t anyone else see Kittle as a superstar? Well, we’re proud to say we told you so.
No. 5: 49ers Center Fred Quillan
Round 7, No. 175 Overall in the 1978 NFL Draft
Longevity and consistency are two key reasons why the 49ers’ late-round offensive lineman, the late Fred Quillan, ranks just one spot above George Kittle on this list.
Quillan, a seventh-round selection out of Oregon in the 1978 NFL Draft, was one of the key pieces head coach Bill Walsh elected to retain when he took over duties a year later. And while the early dynasty years under Walsh had plenty of other big-name players to focus on, it’s important to remember just how crucial Quillan was to ensuring the Niners offensive line was so effective during the 1980s.
In total, Quillan spent 10 years with San Francisco, playing in 143 games while starting 129 of them, also making the Pro Bowl twice after earning two Super Bowl rings.
Unfortunately, Quillan’s efforts along the O-line were largely overshadowed by other members, including another player on this list who bumped over to center to replace him.
No. 4: 49ers Defensive Tackle Michael Carter
Round 5, No. 121 Overall in the 1984 NFL Draft
Some could argue the 49ers teams of the mid and late 1980s were the most dominant in franchise history. And while the Niners offense received much of the credit, one shouldn’t overlook just how good many of those defenses were.
Especially nose tackle Michael Carter, who received a Super Bowl ring his rookie year after being drafted by San Francisco in Round 5 of the 1984 draft out of SMU.
The shot-put Olympian proved to be a star at the NFL level, too, becoming a first-time Pro Bowler a year after he was drafted after recording a career-high seven sacks. Those efforts continued throughout the rest of the decade, too, where Carter would make two more Pro Bowls while also being named a 1987 first-team All-Pro.
In total, Carter would finish his nine-year career, all with the 49ers, with 121 games played including 77 where he started.
Carter shouldn’t just be considered one of the Niners’ best late-round draft picks of all time but also one of the best defensive picks the team has ever made.
No. 3: 49ers Center Jesse Sapolu
Round 11, No. 289 Overall in the 1983 NFL Draft
When offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu was drafted by San Francisco in Round 11 of the 1983 NFL Draft, it wasn’t quite clear what kind of role he would play. The 49ers already had Fred Quillan manning the center spot, while Randy Cross was already a Pro Bowl right guard.
On top of that, the lowly touted lineman out of Hawaii was suffering from a heart condition that could have killed him at any moment. Missing 1985 with a foot injury didn’t help his long-term cause either.
But no one would care for an 11th-round pick, right?
Think again.
When the Niners eventually wanted to move on from Quillan, Sapolu would be the name called to take over at center, which he did exceptionally well in 1988 and became a regular mainstay along San Francisco’s offensive line for the next nine years, earning one Pro Bowl, four Super Bowl rings and emerging as the 49ers’ best center in franchise history.
And a fan favorite, too.
Sapolu is proof it doesn’t necessarily matter where players are drafted, only what they’re able to do with their opportunities.
No. 2: 49ers Wide Receiver Dwight Clark
Round 10, No. 249 Overall in the 1979 NFL Draft
As far as fan favorites go, few come closer to reaching the status of the late great wide receiver, Dwight Clark, whom Bill Walsh just so happened to notice when he was scouting Clemson quarterback Steve Fuller. Fuller called upon Clark to catch his passes.
Walsh ultimately selected quarterback Joe Montana instead, and that’s history enough. But Walsh had eyes on the 6-foot-4 Clark and made him arguably the biggest sleeper selection in 49ers NFL Draft history, getting him in Round 10 after so many other teams passed on him multiple times again and again.
Clark’s impact on the team is highlighted by “The Catch” during the 1982 NFC Championship versus the Dallas Cowboys.
But what’s sometimes forgotten is just how big a role he played in transforming the Niners from a laughingstock in the late 1970s into the team of the 1980s. Clark’s 506 receptions rank fourth on the franchise’s all-time list, while his 6,750 receiving yards rank third.
And if it weren’t for players like Montana, quarterback Steve Young and wide receiver Jerry Rice, one could easily acknowledge Clark as the face of the 49ers for posterity.
No. 1: 49ers EDGE Charles Haley
Round 4, No. 96 Overall in the 1986 NFL Draft
Well, when you’re a Hall of Famer, you probably deserve to be at or at least close to the top of this list.
Such is the case for EDGE Charles Haley, whose end of tenure with the Niners in 1992 was a massive turning point in the franchise’s dominant years, and Haley ultimately took his perennial Pro Bowl ways to the Cowboys who became the team of that decade.
More from SF 49ers All-Time Lists
- Building the greatest 49ers all-time offense in franchise history
- 49ers all-time best NFL Draft picks by each round
- Famous 49ers players who jumped ship and joined Raiders
- 10 tailgate foods (and recipes) 49ers fans should try and will love
- The 10 worst tailgate foods 49ers fans should hate (but don’t)
Still, Haley’s presence after emerging as a fourth-round NFL Draft pick out of a small school, James Madison, can’t be ignored.
Few NFL players had anywhere near the kind of pass-rushing prowess Haley had over his career. In 1990, during his first first-team All-Pro selection, Haley recorded a career-high 16 sacks. And during his initial six-year career with San Francisco, Haley missed out on double-digit sacks just twice.
Haley eventually returned to the 49ers to wrap up his career in 1998 and 1999, tacking on three more sacks between those two years and accumulating 66.5 during his Niners career — a mark that ranks second only behind defensive end Bryant Young for most in team history.
Any team would scramble for a player of Haley’s caliber in Round 1 today. Getting him in the fourth round was easily one of San Francisco’s best draft steals of all time.