Breaking down the San Francisco 49ers all-decade team was a walk down memory lane. The 49ers enjoyed success in the first part of the decade but fell on hard times as the years went on. When they rebounded and went to the Super Bowl last season, it was their first visit to the post-season since 2013. While the decade saw some of the best players to ever wear the 49ers uniform, it also saw more than its fair share of forgettable players. On offense, the best running back in 49ers history, Frank Gore, was a force and on defense, Patrick Willis dominated games as nobody has before or since in the red and gold.
We’ll see more of Patrick Willis in the all-decade defense article, but this time it’s all about the offense. We’ll look at Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, and some outstanding offensive lineman. One of those linemen, Joe Staley is the best lineman we’ve seen in San Francisco and after a 13-year career all spent as a 49er, he’s announced his retirement.
Check out the San Francisco 49ers 2010s all-decade team on defense.
San Francisco 49ers 2010s All-Decade Team Offense
Quarterback: Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick gets the nod here over Alex Smith due to his production on the field. Smith had a couple of solid seasons but eventually lost his job to Kaepernick, who prior to the drama surrounding him kneeling during the National Anthem, he was a budding star. When you consider he led the team to the Super Bowl, he becomes the clear choice over Smith.
Statistically, Kaepernick put up 72 touchdowns against 30 interceptions and consistently threw for solid yardage. He was an elite dual-threat quarterback as rushed for 2,300 yards and 13 touchdowns during his stint as the quarterback. He started 58 games during his six years in San Francisco.
Running Back: Frank Gore
Frank Gore is the best running back to ever play for the 49ers, and it’s not close. He put up 1,000 yards in every season during the decade as a 49er except in 2010 when he missed six games due to injury. He still managed to put up 857 yards that season. When you examine Gore’s impact on the 49ers, you must dig beyond the stats. He was the heartbeat of that team. He embodied the swagger and heart that the team was known for. Gore was impossible to tackle with the first hit, becoming one of the biggest fan-favorites in 49ers’ history.
Running Back: Carlos Hyde
Carlos Hyde is a distant second on this list, and would likely not make the list at all had the 49ers had some quality running backs in the second half of the decade. Hyde never cracked the 1,000-yard mark as a 49er and his time as a 49er isn’t terribly memorable.
Wide Receiver: Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin was another player who brought more to the table than what statistics show. Boldin was a beast in the open field and punished defensive backs who tried to hit him up high. He only played for three seasons in San Francisco but was unbelievably productive. He caught 237 catches for over 3000 yards. It says something that a player who spent only three years in San Francisco can be their best wide receiver.
Wide Receiver: Michael Crabtree
Michael Crabtree joins Anquan Boldin on this list because he was a productive wide receiver during his four years spent in San Francisco. He managed to catch 244 passes for 2970 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was selected 10th overall by the 49ers in the 2009 draft and lived up to the hype, producing 48 catches as a rookie.
Tight End: Vernon Davis
Vernon Davis was a major difference-maker as a 49er. His size and athleticism were simply unparalleled at the position and he routinely made jaw-dropping plays that live on in fan’s memories.
Tight End: George Kittle
He’s done more in his brief two-year stint at tight end than any other in 49ers history. Kittle is the team leader in receptions but more than that, he’s the leader by virtue of his attitude and bravado. He’s the heartbeat of the 49ers and when it is all said and done, he could well be on the 49ers Mount Rushmore. He’s that good.
Tackle: Joe Staley
You can’t talk about the 49ers all-decade team without talking about Joe Staley. He has been the mainstay for the entirety to the decade and his retirement this off-season is a major blow to the team both on the field and in the locker room. He’s an all-time 49er great. He is the best lineman in team history.
Tackle: Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis held down the right side of the line opposite Joe Staley for the first six years of the decade. He was a tremendous player and earns the spot here on the all-decade team.
Guard: Mike Iupati
At one point, Mike Iupati looked like one of the best guards in the league, but injuries set him back. Even with those injuries, he’s among the best of the decade and solidified the left side of the line with Staley for five years.
Guard: Alex Boone
Boone was a good player who played opposite Mike Iupati for five years. He was part of one of the best lines in the league. He played from 2010-2015 alongside Iupati, Joe Staley, and Anthony Davis.
Center: Jonathan Goodwin
Goodwin was acquired from the Saints and did a nice job anchoring the middle of the line for four years. He was the best center on the team in the 2010s and belongs on the 49ers All-Decade team.
