The 5 best kickers in the history of the San Francisco 49ers

Despite it being an overlooked position, the 49ers have nevertheless relied on their kickers heavily over the years.

Yes, kickers are players, too. And they are important.

Any given year, a kicker can account for somewhere between 25 percent at 33 percent of a team's total points. Whether they come from extra points or field goals, particularly those game-winning types, kickers can mean the difference between a win or a loss.

The worst part? They're expected to be automatic. And it's a relatively thankless job where excessive celebrations are looked at as, well... excessive.

But, if they fail, kickers are easy scapegoats.

The San Francisco 49ers have had their share of not-so-great kickers over the years, but they've also boasted some franchise game-changers, too.

While not as popular as all-time Niners lists about, let's say, quarterbacks or wide receivers, let's explore the five best kickers in franchise history by looking at individual stats, tenure and other accolades.

Remember, kickers are the ones who put the "foot" in football.

49ers' 5 best kickers in franchise history

There are a couple of honorable mentions before "kicking" off our list, beginning with David Akers, who was with San Francisco for two seasons, setting a franchise record with 44 field goals made in 2011 that also led the NFL that season en route to a Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nod.

Akers flamed out in 2012, though, but that 2011 season was memorable.

Tommy Davis, who kicked for the 49ers way back from 1959 through 1969, was never truly accurate by today's standards, averaging just 47.1 percent of his field-goal tries during his Niners career.

But, heck. He was named to two Pro Bowls, so there's that.

No. 5: Phil Dawson (2013-2016)

Phil Dawson, affectionately remembered as "Uncle Phil," ranks sixth on the franchise's all-time successful field-goals list with 99 during his relatively brief San Francisco tenure, missing just two of his 132 extra-point tries over that timeframe.

Granted, extra points weren't the distance they are today, but it's a notable accolade nonetheless.

More importantly, Dawson was a perfect seven out of seven on field-goal tries in the playoffs, including that clutch game-winning kick over the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 Wild Card game.

No. 4: Joe Nedney (2005-2010)

For nearly all of his tenure, Joe Nedney was the No. 1 offensive-scoring weapon the 49ers had, and fans generally want to forget just how atrocious the late-2000s Niners offenses were.

Still, Nedney racked up an impressive 129 field goals made during his career with San Francisco, which currently stands as fourth most, and his 86.6 field-goal percentage ranks second behind only Robbie Gould, among qualifiers.

Nedney also never missed an extra point while donning the red and gold.

No. 3: Mike Cofer (1988-1993)

Nedney has just one more field goal made with the 49ers over Mike Cofer, but that might be insignificant when considering the Niners were scoring touchdowns over field goals for the entirety of the late 1980s and early 1990s when Cofer was with the team.

A two-time Super Bowl champion, Cofer was a first-team All-Pro in 1989 and led the NFL twice in extra points (1992 and 1993), which is further evidence of all those touchdowns the offense was scoring.

Cofer's career field-goal percentage with San Francisco was only 67.0, but his accomplishments elsewhere make up for it.

No. 2: Robbie Gould (2017-2022)

The fact the 49ers used a franchise tag on Gould in 2019 says a lot, perhaps as a slight against the Niners for doing such a thing but also because Gould was about as reliable as they come.

Especially in the playoffs where he went a perfect 21-of-21 on field goals and made all of his 19 extra-point attempts.

Despite never being a Pro Bowler or All-Pro during his San Francisco career, Gould nevertheless ranks second in franchise history with 161 made field goals and also boasts the best qualifying field-goal percentage in team history, too, at 87.5.

On top of that, Gould set a single-season franchise record for field-goal percentage (97.1) in 2018, which also led the entire NFL that year.

No. 1: Ray Wersching (1977-1987)

Before Cofer, there was Ray Wersching, the 49ers' No. 1 field-goal maker ever with an impressive 190 made attempts during his 11-year span with the team.

In addition to being a two-time Super Bowl champion, Cofer owns the franchise record for most extra points made, too (409).

Sure, longevity played a vital role in Wersching's success. But, considering how good many of those 1980s teams were, he was certainly given the context for achieving said success.

An 11-year career for a specialist with just one team is almost unheard of now, but that's precisely what Wersching had.

And it plays a big role in naming him the best kicker in Niners history.

49ers all-time kickers leaderboards by stats

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