Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in San Francisco 49ers history using career Weighted Approximate Value (wAV), a metric developed by Pro-Football-Reference.com to estimate career impact. The ranking also lists individual accolades such as Pro Bowl selections, First-Team All-Pro honors, and total years as a starter. Players were assigned to their originally drafted teams, excluding any draft-day trades. Data is as of April 2026.
#10. Roger Craig (1983, Round 2, Pick 49)
– Position: RB
– Career wAV: 95
– Pro Bowls: 4
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 165
– Seasons as Starter: 9
#8. Alex Smith (2005, Round 1, Pick 1) (tie)
– Position: QB
– Career wAV: 98
– Pro Bowls: 3
– First-Team All-Pro: 0
– Games Played: 174
– Seasons as Starter: 14
#8. Lance Alworth (1962, Round 1, Pick 8) (tie)
– Position: FL
– Career wAV: 98
– Pro Bowls: 7
– First-Team All-Pro: 6
– Games Played: 136
– Seasons as Starter: 10
#7. John Brodie (1957, Round 1, Pick 3)
– Position: QB
– Career wAV: 99
– Pro Bowls: 2
– First-Team All-Pro: 1
– Games Played: 201
– Seasons as Starter: 12
#6. Ricky Watters (1991, Round 2, Pick 45)
– Position: RB
– Career wAV: 100
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 0
– Games Played: 144
– Seasons as Starter: 9
#5. Jimmy Johnson (1961, Round 1, Pick 6)
– Position: DB
– Career wAV: 103
– Pro Bowls: 5
– First-Team All-Pro: 3
– Games Played: 213
– Seasons as Starter: 16
#4. Terrell Owens (1996, Round 3, Pick 89)
– Position: WR
– Career wAV: 121
– Pro Bowls: 6
– First-Team All-Pro: 5
– Games Played: 219
– Seasons as Starter: 13
#3. Ronnie Lott (1981, Round 1, Pick 8)
– Position: DB
– Career wAV: 123
– Pro Bowls: 10
– First-Team All-Pro: 6
– Games Played: 192
– Seasons as Starter: 14
#2. Joe Montana (1979, Round 3, Pick 82)
– Position: QB
– Career wAV: 125
– Pro Bowls: 8
– First-Team All-Pro: 3
– Games Played: 192
– Seasons as Starter: 12
#1. Jerry Rice (1985, Round 1, Pick 16)
– Position: WR
– Career wAV: 160
– Pro Bowls: 13
– First-Team All-Pro: 10
– Games Played: 303
– Seasons as Starter: 18
