Over the years, the San Francisco 49ers have shown off a penchant for finding high-level talent with their first-round picks in the NFL Draft. Here’s a look at the 49ers’ full track record in Round 1. What are some of their most impressive selections to date, and how has their performance aged heading into the modern era?
San Francisco 49ers First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
To date, the 49ers have selected eight Hall of Fame players with first-round picks. That list doesn’t even include Joe Montana or Steve Young. Montana was a third-round pick by San Francisco, while Young was acquired through a trade after being selected in Round 1 of the 1984 Supplemental Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Nevertheless, the 49ers’ pool of first-round Hall of Famers is still an impressive one. They boast Jerry Rice, the greatest WR of all time, along with Lance Alworth and Ronnie Lott, among others. The 49ers have been less consistent in the modern era, but Patrick Willis is a Hall of Fame candidate even after a shorter-than-average career. And early in his career, Nick Bosa is on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
2024
- Ricky Pearsall | Pick 31
WR, Florida
2023
The 49ers traded their pick to the Miami Dolphins.
2022
The 49ers traded their pick to the Miami Dolphins.
2021
- Trey Lance | Pick 3
QB, North Dakota State
2020
- Javon Kinlaw | Pick 14
DT, South Carolina - Brandon Aiyuk | Pick 25
WR, Arizona State
2019
- Nick Bosa | Pick 2
DE, Ohio State
2018
- Mike McGlinchey | Pick 9
OT, Notre Dame
2017
- Solomon Thomas | Pick 3
DE, Stanford - Reuben Foster | Pick 31
LB, Alabama
2016
- DeForest Buckner | Pick 7
DE, Oregon - Joshua Garnett | Pick 28
G, Stanford
2015
- Arik Armstead | Pick 17
DT, Oregon
2014
- Jimmie Ward | Pick 30
DB, Northern Illinois
2013
- Eric Reid | Pick 18
DB, LSU
2012
- A.J. Jenkins | Pick 30
WR, Illinois
2011
- Aldon Smith | Pick 7
DE, Missouri
2010
- Anthony Davis | Pick 11
OT, Rutgers - Mike Iupati | Pick 17
G, Idaho
2009
- Michael Crabtree | Pick 10
WR, Texas Tech
2008
- Kentwan Balmer | Pick 29
DT, North Carolina
2007
- Patrick Willis | Pick 11
LB, Mississippi - Joe Staley | Pick 28
OT, Central Michigan
2006
- Vernon Davis | Pick 6
TE, Maryland - Manny Lawson | Pick 22
DE, North Carolina State
2005
- Alex Smith | Pick 1
QB, Utah
2004
- Rashaun Woods | Pick 31
WR, Oklahoma State
2003
- Kwame Harris | Pick 26
OT, Stanford
2002
- Mike Rumph | Pick 27
DB, Miami (FL)
2001
- Andre Carter | Pick 7
DE, California
2000
- Julian Peterson | Pick 16
LB, Michigan State - Ahmed Plummer | Pick 24
DB, Ohio State
1999
- Reggie McGrew | Pick 24
DT, Florida
1998
- R.W. McQuarters | Pick 28
DB, Oklahoma State
1997
- Jim Druckenmiller | Pick 26
QB, Virginia Tech
1996
The 49ers traded their pick to the Baltimore Ravens.
1995
- J.J. Stokes | Pick 10
WR, UCLA
1994
- Bryant Young* | Pick 7
DT, Notre Dame - William Floyd | Pick 28
FB, Florida State
1993
- Dana Stubblefield | Pick 26
DT, Kansas - Todd Kelly | Pick 27
LB, Tennessee
1992
- Dana Hall | Pick 18
DB, Washington
1991
- Ted Washington | Pick 25
NT, Louisville
1990
- Dexter Carter | Pick 25
RB, Florida State
1989
- Keith DeLong | Pick 28
LB, Tennessee
1988
The 49ers traded their pick to the Dallas Cowboys.
1987
- Harris Barton | Pick 22
OT, North Carolina - Terrence Flagler | Pick 25
RB, Clemson
1986
1985
- Jerry Rice* | Pick 16
WR, Mississippi Valley St.
1984
- Todd Shell | Pick 24
LB, BYU
1983
The 49ers traded their pick to the San Diego Chargers.
1982
The 49ers traded their pick to the New England Patriots.
1981
- Ronnie Lott* | Pick 8
DB, USC
1980
- Earl Cooper | Pick 13
RB, Rice - Jim Stuckey | Pick 20
DE, Clemson
1979
The 49ers traded their pick to the Buffalo Bills.
1978
- Ken MacAfee | Pick 7
TE, Notre Dame - Dan Bunz | Pick 24
LB, Long Beach State
1977
The 49ers traded their pick to the New England Patriots.
1976
The 49ers traded their pick to the New England Patriots.
1975
- Jimmy Webb | Pick 10
DT, Mississippi State
1974
- Wilbur Jackson | Pick 9
RB, Alabama - Bill Sandifer | Pick 10
DT, UCLA
1973
- Mike Holmes | Pick 18
DB, Texas Southern
1972
- Terry Beasley | Pick 19
WR, Auburn
1971
- William Anderson | Pick 23
DB, Ohio State
1970
- Cedrick Hardman | Pick 9
DE, North Texas - Bruce Taylor | Pick 17
DB, Boston University
1969
- Ted Kwalick | Pick 7
TE, Penn State - Gene Washington | Pick 16
WR, Stanford
1968
- Forrest Blue | Pick 15
C, Auburn
1967
- Steve Spurrier | Pick 3
QB, Florida - Cas Banaszek | Pick 11
OT, Northwestern
1966
- Stan Hindman | Pick 11
DE, Mississippi
1965
- Ken Willard | Pick 2
RB, North Carolina - George Donnelly | Pick 13
DB, Illinois
1964
- Dave Parks | Pick 1
WR, Texas Tech
1963
- Kermit Alexander | Pick 8
DB, UCLA
1962
- Lance Alworth* | Pick 8
WR, Arkansas
1961
- Jimmy Johnson* | Pick 6
DB, UCLA - Bernie Casey | Pick 9
HB, Bowling Green - Billy Kilmer | Pick 11
QB, UCLA
1960
- Monty Stickles | Pick 11
TE, Notre Dame
1959
- Dave Baker | Pick 5
DB, Oklahoma - Dan James | Pick 8
OT, Ohio State
1958
- James Pace | Pick 8
HB, Michigan - Charlie Krueger | Pick 9
DT, Texas A&M
1957
- John Brodie | Pick 3
QB, Stanford
1956
- Earl Morrall | Pick 2
QB, Michigan State
1955
- Dicky Moegle | Pick 10
DB, Rice
1954
- Bernie Faloney | Pick 11
QB, Maryland
1953
- Harry Babcock | Pick 1
DE, Georgia - Tom Stolhandske | Pick 10
LB, Texas
1952
- Hugh McElhenny* | Pick 9
HB, Washington
1951
- Y.A. Tittle* | Pick 3
QB, LSU
1950
- Leo Nomellini* | Pick 11
DT, Minnesota
*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame