Backdraft: San Francisco 49ers

• Glenn Davis, B, Army, 1947 (AAFC Draft. The 49ers started out in the rival All-America Football Conference before joining the NFL in 1950).
• Leo Nomellini, T, Minnesota (1st Round, 11th Overall), 1950 (NFL)

Most Recent Draft Pick:

• Phillip Adams, DB, South Carolina State (7th round, 224th overall, in 2010)

Hall of Famers Drafted:

• Ernie Stautner – 1st round of secret AAFC draft, 1949 (Also selected in 2nd Round – 22nd overall – by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1950 NFL Draft)
• Leo Nomellini - 1st Round (11th overall), 1950
• Hugh McElhenny - 1st Round (9th overall), 1952
• Bob St. Clair - 3rd Round (32nd overall), 1953
• Jimmy Johnson - 1st Round (6th overall), 1961 (Also drafted in 4th round of the AFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.)
• Lance Alworth – 1st Round (8th Overall), 1962 (Also selected in 2nd Round – 9th overall – in the AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders).
• Dave Wilcox - 3rd Round (29th overall), 1964 (Also drafted in 6th round - 46th overall - of 1964 AFL Draft by Houston Oilers.)
• Joe Montana - 3rd Round (82nd overall), 1979
• Ronnie Lott - 1st Round (8th overall), 1981
• Jerry Rice - 1st Round (16th overall), 1985

First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft:

• 2005 – Alex Smith, QB, Utah
• 1964 – Dave Parks E Texas Tech
• 1953 – Harry Babcock, E, Georgia


Leo Nomellini	Joe Montana	Jerry Rice

Did you know?

The 49ers franchise started in the rival All-America Football Conference where they competed from 1946 to 1949 before joining the National Football League. The team added some key elements to their team through the draft after entering the NFL.

In fact, San Francisco chose wisely as they used their first round draft pick on a future Hall of Fame in each of the first three NFL drafts in which they participated. The 49ers used the 11th pick of the 1950 NFL Draft on legendary Leo “The Lion” Nomellini. One year later, the team added Y.A. Tittle with the third pick of the draft. In 1952, another piece of the 49ers famed “Million Dollar Backfield” was put in place. Joining Tittle in the offensive backfield was Hugh “The King” McElhenny who was selected 9th overall.

Quotable:

"We felt we had to get into the top 20 (picks) to have any likelihood of getting a top player. Rice is a sensational player along the line of (Wes) Chandler and (John) Jefferson. He can make a lot happen in a game."

49ers GM/Coach Bill Walsh explained why San Francisco dealt its top three picks to the New England Patriots to acquire the 16th pick of the draft. With the choice they selected Mississippi Valley State's Jerry Rice. Over the next 20 years, Rice indeed made a lot happen in games as he annihilated every major NFL receiving record during a career that earned him election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

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Backdraft: Tennessee Titans

No. 8. Tennessee Titans. Over the years, this franchise has orchestrated some trades in order land the running back they coveted so much.

Backdraft: Washington Redskins

No. 10. Washington Redskins. In the days before sophisticated scouting, Washington used its first round pick in 1946 and again in 1947 on UCLA back Cal Rossi.