49ers Top 10 NFL Draft Successes: No. 2 - Merton Hanks, Free Safety

by David Fucillo on Apr 27, 2011 12:00 PM PDT in NFL Draft

I was tempted to rank Patrick Willis second on this list, but this next guy did enough over the course of his career to get the higher spot. When you get All Pro selections from a fifth round pick, and that guy will go down as one of the better safeties in franchise history, I'd say that qualifies as a strong success.

In 1991, the San Francisco 49ers used the first of two fifth round picks (122nd overall) to draft defensive back Merton Hanks out of Iowa. Coming out of college, Hanks was a solid DB, but as we often see a poor 40 time at the Combine was a significant reason he saw his draft stock plummet (ran a 4.74). In rolling the dice on Hanks, the 49ers scored a phenomenal steal. Over the course of his eight seasons with the 49ers, Hanks secured four Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro selections and was a key part of the 49ers Super Bowl XXIX championship defense.

I decided to go with Merton Hanks over Patrick Willis at the number two spot primarily because of the difference in when they were drafted. I know some people don't agree with that distinction, but I think it's a fair one. By the end of Bamm Bamm's career it's possible he'll have done so much that he'll have to be number one, but for now Merton Hanks and his chicken dance sit at number two.

49ers Top 10 NFL Draft Successess
2. Merton Hanks - 1991 NFL Draft
3. Patrick Willis - 2007 NFL Draft
4. Terrell Owens - 1996 NFL Draft
5. Eric Heitmann - 2002 NFL Draft
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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Comments

I don’t think you were sticking your neck out too much with this choice.

Get it sorted NFL and NFLPA. My Sunday evenings are special to me.

by LondonNiner on Apr 27, 2011 12:02 PM PDT reply actions 7 recs

where's the rimshot when I need it

Well played.

by David Fucillo on Apr 27, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Rec'd

"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."

Norm Sloan

"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."

Weldon Drew

by EcERyda69 on Apr 27, 2011 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions

i called it!!!

by ninersince94 on Apr 27, 2011 12:10 PM PDT reply actions

am i missing something about these rankings?

we drafted both Montana and Rice…..how are they not 1 and 2?

by MattSFfrd on Apr 27, 2011 12:12 PM PDT reply actions

It is only since 1990.

by twolfe2 on Apr 27, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions

nah

I just think they’re overrated. /sarcasm

I probably should have made a mention at the start of each post that it was since 1990.

by David Fucillo on Apr 27, 2011 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Love at first dance

<3 Merton Hanks. That is all.

by 49erfannm on Apr 27, 2011 12:24 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

oh ok, thanks

carry on

by MattSFfrd on Apr 27, 2011 12:24 PM PDT reply actions

Frank Gore must be #1

I guess there was some technicality that disqualified Bryant Young? Or does he share #1 with Frank?

It's about having the kind of faith that makes all the "what if's" irrelevant - Jim Harbaugh 2011

Frank Gore has earned his place among the great running backs of the NFL - Pat Willie on NN

by Pat Willie on Apr 27, 2011 12:29 PM PDT reply actions

previous thread

I mentioned it in yesterday’s stream, but basically I forgot to include BY. We’re going to do a community poll after the draft so people can come up with a list as well.

by David Fucillo on Apr 27, 2011 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions

BY would be # 3 , Jerry Rice #2 and Joe Montana #1 or is all after 1995 ?

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 27, 2011 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok.. I see now that it was since 1990... But BY has to be there.. Love Hanks.. his chicken dance was the best

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 27, 2011 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Takeo Spikes’ “what on Earth?” dances beat them hands down

by mcwagner on Apr 27, 2011 12:58 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Ok- Forgiven

I can see where Bryant Young would slip your mind…

OK I can’t but maybeI could see where he could be on a seperate more exclusive list that included guys like Lott, Rice, Montana, Steve Young (Best Supplemental draft pick ever, no credit to the 49ers except the wisdom to steal him for some draft picks)

It's about having the kind of faith that makes all the "what if's" irrelevant - Jim Harbaugh 2011

Frank Gore has earned his place among the great running backs of the NFL - Pat Willie on NN

by Pat Willie on Apr 27, 2011 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Wait, where is Vernon Davis?

He’s like one of the best TE I’ve ever seen…And how is Fred Beasly better than Ricky Watters? I’m seriously perplexed.

It's about having the kind of faith that makes all the "what if's" irrelevant - Jim Harbaugh 2011

Frank Gore has earned his place among the great running backs of the NFL - Pat Willie on NN

by Pat Willie on Apr 27, 2011 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Beasley

Was considered the best blocking fullback in the NFL in his prime. Watters probably would be on many people’s top ten posts. I wasn’t sure what to do with him

by David Fucillo on Apr 27, 2011 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Yea, I get it. I liked Beasly's physicality

I’m pretty sure he was responsible for most of Charlie Garners rushing yards while he was here. Don’t understand the Vernon omission though.

It's about having the kind of faith that makes all the "what if's" irrelevant - Jim Harbaugh 2011

Frank Gore has earned his place among the great running backs of the NFL - Pat Willie on NN

by Pat Willie on Apr 27, 2011 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd rate Beasley better than Watters

Watters was not a good teammate and in my opinion was over-rated as a running back. Beasley was a top-notch full back and one of my favorite 49ers from that time period.

by smileyman on Apr 27, 2011 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Good point about Davis but he was a TE drafted 6th overall

Has a TE ever been drafted higher? Of course, I believe he would be the best TE in the game if Peyton Manning was throwing to him…

by asmithisaverage on Apr 27, 2011 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

I say this all the time. Basically any time anybody tries to say a different tight end is better than Vernon. Can you image how bad Gates or Clark or whoever would look with Alex Smith throwing to them??

But you gotta give Tony Gonzales credit. He’s had some pretty horrid QBs through his career too.

by ZivilynBane on Apr 27, 2011 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions

which means

Frank Gore #1…good list fooch

by forty9ers3298 on Apr 27, 2011 12:37 PM PDT reply actions

Now I would have chosen Jerry Rice as #2 and Joe Montana as # 1 .. but that is just me.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 27, 2011 12:43 PM PDT reply actions

The list is only since 1990

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Apr 27, 2011 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

How many guys can you name that have the first name “Merton”?

by mcwagner on Apr 27, 2011 12:45 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Merton

It’s a borough in south-west London. It houses the All England Lawn Tennis and Bowls Club, better known worldwide as Wimbledon. Take that for what it’s worth, which is not a lot.

Get it sorted NFL and NFLPA. My Sunday evenings are special to me.

by LondonNiner on Apr 27, 2011 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with this choice

Awesome I am curious to see who is number 1?

I'm in business of giving the business and business is booming!

by chriscream on Apr 27, 2011 1:41 PM PDT reply actions

that would be Frank Gore sir

by ninersince94 on Apr 27, 2011 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought it was an all-time list

since it’s not I’d have Willis #1, then TO and Gore 2 and 3 in whatever order

by Joey9er on Apr 27, 2011 3:35 PM PDT reply actions

-1

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work." - Thomas Edison

"I may be an idiot, but one thing I'm not sir, is an idiot." - Peter Griffin

"Pluto’s not even a planet no more, which I’m very disturbed about. I grew up when Pluto was a planet. Now, I’m 25, I turn around and Pluto’s no longer a planet. I’m going to elbow that guy in the nose." -Ron Artest

by mikeinsp on Apr 27, 2011 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Physicality

Should I abscond with my belief that Merton Hanks was insufficient as a FS because of his small stature? He was pretty good at breaking up passes but when it came to tackling and stuffing the run it seems he came up short. I have a specific recollection against the Falcons (it might have been Jamal Anderson in the playoffs) when he was stiff armed badly as he was scored upon.

If so, I will crawl back into my cave.

by 9er80 on Apr 27, 2011 4:42 PM PDT reply actions

obviously Joe Montana?

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Apr 27, 2011 4:45 PM PDT reply actions

one more time...

This is only since 1990

by David Fucillo on Apr 27, 2011 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

derp

"And thank you to God for making me an Atheist." - Ricky Gervais

by MichaelClutchtree on Apr 27, 2011 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions

That video brought a smile

Hanks was just plain fun and a damned good player.

by mensa on Apr 27, 2011 5:42 PM PDT reply actions

One of my favorite Niners of all time

And it doesn’t even have to do with him playing for Iowa…but it helps.

Steelers vs Packers in the Super Bowl? I want a do-over.

by Haggardninja on Apr 27, 2011 9:15 PM PDT reply actions

Vernon

Needs to do just a little more before being on this list. We all know he’s one of the greatest Tight Ends in the league, possibly of all time. But he’s only been to one pro bowl (even though he definitely should’ve gone last year). He’s had two good years and two subpar years. Let’s give him a little more time.

Fooch I thought I remembered seeing you write one time that BY was one of your favorite 9ers of all time? Or was that one of the other NN writers…

Either way I love BY. And for the most part I love the list. But mind would look a little different. Very happy to see Frank Gore as number one though.

by ZivilynBane on Apr 27, 2011 9:16 PM PDT reply actions