List of San Francisco 49ers first-round draft picks

The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners)^[4] are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference West Division.^[5] The team, founded in 1944 by Tony Morabito, is named after the prospectors who arrived in Northern California in the 1849 Gold Rush.^[6][7] The 49ers joined the NFL prior to the start of the 1950 NFL season.^[6] Since 2014 they have played their home games at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, located southeast of San Francisco.^[6][8][9]

The 49ers moved up in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft to pick future hall of fame wide receiver Jerry Rice with the 16th overall pick.^[1] While playing for the 49ers, Rice was a 10-time first-team All-Pro, two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1987 and 1993), and broke numerous NFL receiving records.^[2][3]

The NFL draft, officially known as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting",^[10][11][12] is an annual event which serves as the league's most common source of player recruitment.^[13] The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings; the teams with the worst win–loss records receive the earliest picks. Teams that qualified for the NFL playoffs select after non-qualifiers, and their order depends on how far they advanced, using their regular season record as a tie-breaker. The final two selections in the first round are reserved for the Super Bowl runner-up and champion. Draft picks are tradable and players or other picks can be acquired with them.^[14] From 1947 through 1958 the NFL designated the first overall selection as a "bonus" or "lottery pick". The pick was awarded by a random draw and the winner who received the "bonus pick" forfeited its selection in the final round of the draft and became ineligible for future draws. The system was abolished prior to the 1959 NFL draft, as all twelve teams in the league at the time had received a bonus choice.^[15][16]

Since the team's first NFL draft in 1950, the 49ers have selected 88 players in the first round. The team's first-round pick in their inaugural NFL draft was Leo Nomellini, a defensive tackle from the University of Minnesota; he was the 11th overall selection.^[6][17] The 49ers have drafted first overall three times, selecting Harry Babcock in 1953, Dave Parks in 1964, and Alex Smith in 2005.^[18] In the most recent draft, held in 2025, the 49ers chose Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams.^[19]

The 49ers did not draft a player in the first round on ten occasions. Nine of the team's first-round picks—Lance Alworth, Jimmy Johnson, Ronnie Lott, Hugh McElhenny, Leo Nomellini, Jerry Rice, Y. A. Tittle, Patrick Willis, and Bryant Young—have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame;^[16] one of these, Lance Alworth, chose to sign with the NFL's pre-merger direct competitor, the American Football League (AFL), and never played for the 49ers.^[20][21]

Player selections

Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott was drafted by the 49ers with the 8th overall pick in the 1981 NFL draft.^[22] He spent 10 seasons with the team, during which time he was a seven-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler.^[23] Lott was unanimously selected for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.^[24]

Quarterback Alex Smith was selected first overall by the 49ers in the 2005 NFL draft.^[25]

Defensive end Nick Bosa was drafted second overall by the 49ers in the 2019 NFL draft. Bosa was named the 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, and has made 4 Pro Bowls.^[26]

Key

Symbol	Meaning
†	Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
*	Selected number one overall

Position abbreviations
C	Center
CB	Cornerback
DB	Defensive back
DE	Defensive end
DT	Defensive tackle
FB	Fullback
FL	Flanker
G	Guard
HB	Halfback
LB	Linebacker
QB	Quarterback
RB	Running back
S	Safety
T	Tackle
TE	Tight end
WR	Wide receiver

San Francisco 49ers first-round draft picks

Season	Pick[18]	Player[18]	Position[18]	College[18]	Notes
1950	11	Leo Nomellini†	DT	Minnesota
1951	3	Y. A. Tittle†	QB	LSU
1952	9	Hugh McElhenny†	HB	Washington
1953	1	Harry Babcock*	TE	Georgia	Lottery bonus pick[27]
	10	Tom Stolhandske	TE	Texas
1954	11	Bernie Faloney	QB	Maryland
1955	10	Dicky Moegle	HB	Rice
1956	2	Earl Morrall	QB	Michigan State
1957	3	John Brodie	QB	Stanford
1958	8	Jim Pace	HB	Michigan	Pick received from Pittsburgh Steelers[A]
	9	Charlie Krueger	DT	Texas A&M
1959	5	Dave Baker	QB	Oklahoma
	8	Dan James	C	Ohio State	Pick received from Pittsburgh Steelers[A]
1960	11	Monty Stickles	TE	Notre Dame
1961	6	Jimmy Johnson†	CB	UCLA	Pick received from Pittsburgh Steelers[B]
	9	Bernie Casey	WR	Bowling Green State
	11	Billy Kilmer	QB	UCLA	Pick received from Baltimore Colts[C]
1962	8	Lance Alworth†	FL	Arkansas	Signed for the AFL's San Diego Chargers instead[20]
1963	8	Kermit Alexander	DB	UCLA
1964	1	Dave Parks*	WR	Texas Tech
1965	2	Ken Willard	FB	North Carolina
	13	George Donnelly	DB	Illinois	Pick received from Cleveland Browns[D]
1966	11	Stan Hindman	T	Ole Miss
1967	3	Steve Spurrier	QB	Florida	Pick received from Atlanta Falcons[E]
	11	Cas Banaszek	TE	Northwestern
1968	15	Forrest Blue	C	Auburn
1969	7	Ted Kwalick	TE	Penn State	Pick received from New Orleans Saints[F]
	16	Gene Washington	WR	Stanford
1970	9	Cedrick Hardman	DE	North Texas
	17	Bruce Taylor	DB	Boston	Pick received from Washington Redskins[G]
1971	23	Tim Anderson	DB	Ohio State
1972	19	Terry Beasley	WR	Auburn
1973	18	Mike Holmes	DB	Texas Southern
1974	9	Wilbur Jackson	RB	Alabama	Pick received from New England Patriots[H]
	10	Bill Sandifer	DT	UCLA
1975	10	Jimmy Webb	DT	Mississippi State
1976	No pick				Pick traded to New England Patriots[I][J]
1977	No pick				Pick traded to New England Patriots[J]
1978	7	Ken MacAfee	TE	Notre Dame
	24	Dan Bunz	LB	Long Beach State	Pick received from Miami Dolphins[K]
1979	No pick				Pick traded to Buffalo Bills[L]
1980	13	Earl Cooper	RB	Rice	Moved down draft order in trade with New York Jets[M]
	20	Jim Stuckey	DT	Clemson	Pick received from New York Jets[M]
1981	8	Ronnie Lott†	DB	USC
1982	No pick				Pick traded to New England Patriots[N]
1983	No pick				Pick traded to San Diego Chargers[O][P]
1984	24	Todd Shell	LB	BYU
1985	16	Jerry Rice†	WR	Mississippi Valley State	Moved up draft order in trade with New England Patriots[Q]
1986	No pick				Moved down draft order in trades with Dallas Cowboys[R] and Buffalo Bills[S]
1987	22	Harris Barton	T	North Carolina
	25	Terrence Flagler	RB	Clemson	Pick received from Washington Redskins[T]
1988	No pick				Moved down draft order in trade with Los Angeles Raiders[U]
1989	28	Keith DeLong	LB	Tennessee
1990	25	Dexter Carter	RB	Florida State
1991	25	Ted Washington	DT	Louisville
1992	18	Dana Hall	DB	Washington
1993	26	Dana Stubblefield	DT	Kansas	Pick received from Kansas City Chiefs[V] and used to move down draft order in trades with Phoenix Cardinals[W] and New Orleans Saints[X]
	27	Todd Kelly	DT	Tennessee
1994	7	Bryant Young†	DT	Notre Dame	Pick received from San Diego Chargers[Y] and used to move up draft order in trade with Los Angeles Rams[Z]
	28	William Floyd	RB	Florida State	Moved down draft order in trade with Dallas Cowboys[AA]
1995	10	J. J. Stokes	WR	UCLA	Moved up draft order in trade with Cleveland Browns[AB]
1996	No pick				Pick traded to Cleveland Browns[AB]
1997	26	Jim Druckenmiller	QB	Virginia Tech
1998	28	R. W. McQuarters	CB	Oklahoma State
1999	24	Reggie McGrew	DT	Florida	Moved up draft order in trade with Miami Dolphins[AC]
2000	16	Julian Peterson	LB	Michigan State	Moved down draft order in trade with Washington Redskins[AD] and New York Jets[AE]
	24	Ahmed Plummer	CB	Ohio State	Pick received from Washington Redskins[AD]
2001	7	Andre Carter	DE	California	Moved up draft order in trade with Seattle Seahawks[AF]
2002	27	Mike Rumph	CB	Miami (FL)
2003	26	Kwame Harris	T	Stanford
2004	31	Rashaun Woods	WR	Oklahoma State	Moved down draft order in trades with Philadelphia Eagles[AG] and Carolina Panthers[AH]
2005	1	Alex Smith*	QB	Utah
2006	6	Vernon Davis	TE	Maryland
	22	Manny Lawson	LB	North Carolina State	Moved up draft order in trade with Denver Broncos[AI]
2007	11	Patrick Willis†	LB	Ole Miss
	28	Joe Staley	T	Central Michigan	Pick received from New England Patriots[AJ]
2008	29	Kentwan Balmer	DT	North Carolina	Original pick traded to New England Patriots.[AJ] Moved up draft order in trade with Indianapolis Colts.[AK]
2009	10	Michael Crabtree	WR	Texas Tech
2010	11	Anthony Davis	T	Rutgers	Moved up draft order in trade with Denver Broncos[AL]
	17	Mike Iupati	G	Idaho	Pick received from Carolina Panthers[AM]
2011	7	Aldon Smith	LB	Missouri
2012	30	A. J. Jenkins	WR	Illinois
2013	18	Eric Reid	S	LSU	Moved up draft order in trade with Dallas Cowboys[AN]
2014	30	Jimmie Ward	S	Northern Illinois
2015	17	Arik Armstead	DE	Oregon	Moved down draft order in trade with San Diego Chargers[AO]
2016	7	DeForest Buckner	DE	Oregon
	28	Joshua Garnett	G	Stanford	Moved up draft order in trade with Kansas City Chiefs[AP]
2017	3	Solomon Thomas	DE	Stanford	Moved down draft order in trade with Chicago Bears[AQ]
	31	Reuben Foster	LB	Alabama	Moved up draft order in trade with Seattle Seahawks[AR]
2018	9	Mike McGlinchey	T	Notre Dame
2019	2	Nick Bosa	DE	Ohio State
2020	14	Javon Kinlaw	DT	South Carolina	Pick received from Indianapolis Colts.[AS] Moved down draft order in trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[AT]
	25	Brandon Aiyuk	WR	Arizona State	Moved up draft order in trade with Minnesota Vikings[AU]
2021	3	Trey Lance	QB	North Dakota State	Moved up draft order in trade with Miami Dolphins[AV]
2022	No pick				Pick traded to Miami Dolphins[AV]
2023	No pick				Pick traded to Miami Dolphins[AV]
2024	31	Ricky Pearsall	WR	Florida
2025	11	Mykel Williams	DE	Georgia

See also

• San Francisco 49ers draft history
• History of the San Francisco 49ers
• List of San Francisco 49ers seasons

Notes

1. San Francisco traded quarterback Earl Morrall and guard Mike Sandusky to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for their 1958 first-round selection (No. 8 overall), 1959 first-round selection (No. 8 overall), and linebacker Marv Matuszak.^[28][29][30]
2. San Francisco traded defensive back Dicky Moegle to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for their 1961 first-round selection (No. 6 overall).^[31]
3. San Francisco traded tight end Dee Mackey to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for their 1961 first-round selection (No. 11 overall).^[31]
4. San Francisco traded guard Ted Connolly to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for their 1965 first-round selection (No. 13 overall).^[32]
5. San Francisco traded receiver Bernie Casey, defensive lineman Jim Wilson, and defensive end Jim Norton to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for their 1967 first-round selection (No. 3 overall).^[33]
6. San Francisco received Kevin Hardy and New Orleans Saints' 1969 first-round selection (No. 7 overall) as compensation for the Saints' signing of receiver Dave Parks in the days prior to unrestricted free agency.^[34][35]
7. San Francisco traded offensive tackle Walt Rock to the Washington Redskins in exchange for their 1970 first-round selection (No. 17 overall).^[36]
8. San Francisco traded tight end Bob Windsor to the New England Patriots in exchange for their 1974 first-round selection (No. 9 overall).^[37]
9. San Francisco traded running back Vic Washington to the Houston Oilers in exchange for their 1976 first-round selection (No. 21 overall) and 1977 third-round selection (No. 65 overall).^[38][39]
10. San Francisco traded their two 1976 first-round selections (Nos. 12 and 21, received from Houston Oilers)^[I] their 1977 first- and second-round selections (Nos. 16 and 44 overall), and quarterback Tom Owen to the New England Patriots for quarterback Jim Plunkett.^[40][41][42]
11. San Francisco traded running back Delvin Williams to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for their 1978 first- and fifth-round selections (Nos. 24 and 133 overall), defensive back Vern Roberson, and wide receiver Freddie Solomon.^[43][44]
12. San Francisco traded their 1978 second- and third-round selections (Nos. 38 and 65 overall), 1979 first- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 1 and 83 overall), and 1980 second-round selection (No. 29 overall) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for running back O. J. Simpson.^[45][40]
13. San Francisco traded their 1980 first-round selection (No. 2 overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for their two 1980 first-round selections (Nos. 13 and 20 overall).^[1]
14. San Francisco traded their 1982 first-, fourth-, and two second-round selections (Nos. 27, 42, 55, and 111 overall) to the New England Patriots in exchange for their 1982 second-round selection (No. 29 overall) and tight end Russ Francis.^[46][47]
15. San Francisco traded their 1983 second-round selection (No. 36 overall) to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for defensive end Fred Dean and the option to swap 1983 first-round selections.^[48] San Diego went on to exercise this option, forcing San Francisco to trade their 1983 first-round selection (No. 5 overall) to San Diego in exchange for their 1983 first-round selection (No. 22 overall).^[49]
16. San Francisco traded a 1983 first-round selection (No. 22 overall, received from San Diego Chargers)^[O] to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for their two 1983 second-round selections (Nos. 36 and 49 overall).^[49][50]
17. San Francisco traded their 1985 first-, second-, and third-round selections (Nos. 28, 56, and 84 overall) to the New England Patriots in exchange for their 1985 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 16 and 75 overall).^[1]
18. San Francisco traded their 1986 first-round selection (No. 18 overall) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for their 1986 first- and sixth-round selections (Nos. 20 and 131 overall).^[51][52]
19. San Francisco traded a 1986 first-round selection (No. 20 overall, received from Dallas Cowboys)^[R] and 1987 tenth-round selection (No. 273 overall) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for their 1986 second- and third-round selections (Nos. 29 and 56 overall).^[53][52][54]
20. San Francisco traded their 1986 second-round selection (No. 45 overall) to the Washington Redskins in exchange for their 1986 tenth-round selection (No. 270 overall) and 1987 first-round selection (No. 25 overall).^[55][54]
21. San Francisco traded their 1988 first-round selection (No. 26 overall) to the Los Angeles Raiders in exchange for their 1988 second- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 33 and 102 overall) and wide receiver Dokie Williams.^[56]
22. San Francisco traded quarterback Joe Montana, safety David Whitmore, and a 1994 third-round selection (No. 92 overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for their 1993 first-round selection (No. 18 overall).^[57][58]
23. San Francisco traded a 1993 first-round selection (No. 18 overall, received from Kansas City Chiefs)^[V] to the Phoenix Cardinals in exchange for their 1993 first- and fifth-round selections (Nos. 20 and 116 overall).^[59]
24. San Francisco traded a 1993 first-round selection (No. 20 overall, received from Phoenix Cardinals)^[W] to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for their 1993 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 26 and 81 overall).^[59]
25. San Francisco traded their 1993 second-round selection (No. 41 overall) to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for their 1994 first-round selection (No. 15 overall).^[50]
26. San Francisco traded their 1994 first-, second, and third round selections (Nos. 15, received from San Diego Chargers, 56, and 100 overall)^[Y] to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for their 1994 first-round selection (No. 7 overall).^[60]
27. San Francisco traded their 1994 first- and seventh-round selections (Nos. 23 and 217 overall) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for their 1994 first- and second-round selections. (Nos. 28 and 62 overall).^[61]
28. San Francisco traded their 1995 first-, third, and fourth-round selections (Nos. 30, 94, and 119 overall) and 1996 first-round selection (No. 26 overall) to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for their 1995 first-round selection (No. 10 overall).^[62]
29. San Francisco traded their 1999 first- and fifth-round selections (Nos. 27 and 134 overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for their 1999 first-round selection (No. 24 overall).^[63]
30. San Francisco traded their 2000 first-round selection (No. 3 overall) to the Washington Redskins in exchange for their two 2000 first-round selections (Nos. 12 and 24 overall).^[64]
31. San Francisco traded a 2000 first-round selection (No. 12 overall, received from Washington Redskins)^[AD] to the New York Jets in exchange for their 2000 first- and second-round selections (Nos. 16 and 48 overall).^[64]
32. San Francisco traded their 2001 first- third- and seventh- round selections (Nos. 9, 82, and 222 overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for their 2001 first- and sixth-round selections (Nos. 7 and 191 overall).^[65]
33. San Francisco traded their 2004 first-round selection (No. 16 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for their 2004 first- and second-round selections (Nos. 28 and 58 overall).^[66]
34. San Francisco traded a first-round selection (No. 28 overall, received from Philadelphia Eagles)^[AG] to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for their 2004 first- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 31 and 127 overall).^[66]
35. San Francisco traded their 2006 second- and third-round selections (Nos. 37 and 68 overall) to the Denver Broncos in exchange for their 2006 first-round selection (No. 22 overall).^[67]
36. San Francisco traded their 2007 fourth-round selection (No. 110 overall) and 2008 first-round selection (No. 7 overall) to the New England Patriots in exchange for their 2007 first-round selection (No. 28 overall).^[67]
37. San Francisco traded their 2007 second-round selection (No. 42 overall) to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for their 2007 fourth-round selection (No. 126 overall) and 2008 first-round selection (No. 29 overall).^[68]
38. San Francisco traded their 2010 first- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 13 and 113 overall) to the Denver Broncos in exchange for their 2010 first-round selection (No. 11 overall).^[69]
39. San Francisco traded their 2009 second- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 43 and 111 overall) to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for their 2010 first-round selection (No. 17 overall).^[69]
40. San Francisco traded their 2013 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 31 and 74 overall) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for their 2013 first-round selection (No. 18 overall).^[70]
41. San Francisco traded their 2015 first-round selection (No. 15 overall) to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for their 2015 first- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 17 and 117 overall) and 2016 fifth-round selection (No. 142 overall).^[71]
42. San Francisco traded their 2016 second-, fourth-, and sixth-round selections (Nos. 37, 105, and 178 overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for their 2016 first-round selection (No. 28 overall).^[72]
43. San Francisco traded their 2017 first-round selection (No. 2 overall) to the Chicago Bears in exchange for their 2017 first-, third-, and fourth-round selections (Nos. 3, 67, and 111 overall) and 2018 third-round selection (No. 70 overall).^[73]
44. San Francisco traded their 2017 second- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 34 and 111 overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for their 2017 first-round selection (No. 31 overall).^[73]
45. San Francisco traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for their 2020 first-round selection (No. 13 overall).^[74]
46. San Francisco traded their 2020 first- and seventh-round selections (Nos. 13 and 245 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for their 2020 first- and fourth-round selections (Nos. 14 and 117 overall).^[74]
47. San Francisco traded their 2020 first-, fourth-, and fifth-round selections (Nos. 31, 117, and 176 overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for their 2020 first-round selection (No. 24 overall).^[74]
48. San Francisco traded their 2021 first-round selection (No. 12 overall), 2022 first- and third-round selections (Nos. 29 and 102 overall), and 2023 first-round selection (No. 29 overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for their 2021 first-round selection (No. 3 overall).^[75]