49ers Top 10 NFL Draft Successes: No. 6 - Fred Beasley, Fullback

In looking through the list of draft successes, some players are on the list because they overachieved based on where they were drafted. Other players are on the list because they put together a rock solid career and were very worthy 49ers.

This next player is on the list entirely (ok maybe only in part) because he once punched Kevan Barlow.

In 1998, the San Francisco 49ers used their sixth round pick (180th overall) to select fullback Fred Beasley. The fullback position is not one that gets a lot of publicity when it comes to the NFL Draft, but the 49ers hit a home run with Beasley. He appeared in all sixteen games his rookie season but didn't work his way into the starting lineup until his second year. Once he worked his way into the lineup he was off to the races. Over the course of his eight years with the 49ers, Beasley was often considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in the NFL, if not the best. He earned a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2003, but more importantly was named an All Pro in 2002 and 2003. When you can get that kind of production from any draft pick, that's impressive.

It's fitting that we mention Beasley now as the 49ers prepare for next week's draft. Moran Norris is on the wrong side of his career and would appear likely to be heading out the door sooner rather than later. Owen Marecic is probably at least on the 49ers radar given the Stanford connection. We'll see if the 49ers can do well with another mid-to-late round fullback.

49ers Top 10 NFL Draft Successess
6. Fred Beasley - 1998 NFL Draft
7. Jeremy Newberry - 1998 NFL Draft
8. Lee Woodall - 1994 NFL Draft
9. Arnaz Battle - 2003 NFL Draft
10. Andy Lee, Punter - 2004 NFL Draft

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