There are just 16 games until the NFL can close the book on the 2010s decade. It’s been a tumultuous 10 years for the 49ers with three playoff trips, six head coaches, two general managers and two stadiums.
It’s still a tad early to look at the 49ers’ all-decade team, but the list is almost set despite there being a full season left. The team will be worth revisiting after the 2019 season is over just to put the finishing touches on, but for now we’ve gone through and put together the All-Decade offense for the 49ers of the 2010s.
The end of each section will address the position in regards to the 2019 roster and whether any member of the 2019 club might make a final push for our All-Decade team.
Here is what the 49ers’ offense of the 2010s looks like ahead of the 2019 season:
Quarterback
Colin Kaepernick
The last quarterback to lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl gets the nod here. Kaepernick threw for 12,271 yards, 72 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 69 games for the 49ers. His hard fall back to Earth makes it easy to forget his meteoric rise. He was the prototype quarterback for the future of the NFL during his first two seasons, and his early run brought some of the most exciting football in 49ers history. Alex Smith gets a mention here, but he just wasn’t as productive as Kaepernick was during his 37 games in the 2010s.
Can a current player replace him?
Yes, but it’ll take a huge year from Jimmy Garoppolo to vault over Kaepernick. He’ll need to put together an MVP season in 2019 and at least put the 49ers into Super Bowl contention.
Running back
Frank Gore
There wasn’t an easier call on this entire list. Gore is the best running back in 49ers history, and has continued to carve out his place in Canton since leaving San Francisco. He posted 5,512 rushing yards on 4.33 yards per attempt with the 49ers between 2010 and 2014 before departing in free agency for Indianapolis. Carlos Hyde is the only other 49ers running back since 2010 to rush for over 2,000 yards in red and gold. He got to 2,729 on 4.17 yards per attempt.
Can a current player replace him?
No chance. That’s no disrespect to Matt Breida, Jerick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman, but Gore is a legend. One of them could win an MVP in 2019 and they’re still not touching him.
Fullback
Kyle Juszczyk
There may not be a better fullback in the league than Juszczyk. His production isn’t eye-popping, but his ability to be effective as a fullback, running back, receiver and tight end makes him one of the NFL’s most versatile players. He’s surpassed Bruce Miller on the All-Decade list in just two years, and his third season in San Francisco will only further cement his place here.
Can a current player replace him?
He’s on the team in 2019 and there’s nobody in line to take his spot.
Wide receivers
Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Marquise Goodwin
The 49ers receivers this decade have been brutal. Crabtree and Boldin were shoo-ins, but Goodwin edged out the likes of Quinton Patton and Kyle Williams despite posting just 79 catches for 1,357 yards and six touchdowns in 27 games across his two seasons in San Francisco. Crabtree racked up 4,327 yards and 26 touchdowns in 79 games while playing a vital role in the 2012 Super Bowl run. Boldin joined the club as a 33-year-old in 2013, but went on to put together the best three-year run of any 49ers receiver this decade.
Can a current player replace any of them?
Dante Pettis has a chance to sneak in over Goodwin if Goodwin has a down year in 2019 while Pettis breaks out in his second season. However, Goodwin can hold onto his spot if he manages to approach the 1,000-yard mark like he did in 2017.
Tight end
Vernon Davis
Davis was the NFL’s most dominant tight end through the early portion of the decade. He had 33 touchdowns in 77 games between 2010 and 2014, and he was instrumental in the team’s playoff success between 2011 and 2013. His game-winning touchdown catch against the Saints in the 2012 Divisional Round game against the Saints is one of the all-time great plays in 49ers history. Davis revolutionized the tight end position, and his place in 49ers history is firmly secured.
Can a current player replace him?
George Kittle would need another monster year to get into the conversation, and it’s impossible to rule that out. He’d need to get close to the record-setting 1,377 receiving yards he racked up last year, his touchdown numbers would need to climb from the five he had last season, and he’d need some big-time playoff performances. Even then it’d be tough to unseat Davis’ five strong years in the 2010s.
Left tackle
Joe Staley
There literally hasn’t been another left tackle through the entire decade. Staley is in the conversation for the 49ers’ all-time team, much less a team of the 2010s. Another good season or two could secure Staley’s spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Can a current player replace him?
Nobody will ever replace Joe Staley.
Left guard
Mike Iupati
The 49ers’ turnaround in the early part of the decade coincided in part with the construction of one of the league’s top offensive lines. Iupati was a force alongside Staley on the left side, racking up three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro nod between 2012 and 2014. He also started all but five games after being taken in the first round of the 2010 draft. Iupati exited San Francisco in free agency after the 2014 season.
Can a current player replace him?
It’s unlikely Laken Tomlinson does enough in 2019 to overtake Iupati’s spot. He’d need to have the best year ever by a left guard, and even then the longevity won’t be there.
Center
Jonathan Goodwin
Goodwin started every game for San Francisco between 2011 and 2013. He helped solidify an already very good offensive front, and the 49ers made the playoffs all three years he was with the club. Finding a capable center is crucial, and Goodwin was the best of the decade.
Can a current player replace him?
An injury-filled 2018 season got Weston Richburg off to a slow start to his 49ers tenure. Two great years would’ve given him a chance, but his bad showing last season made it impossible for him to overtake Goodwin.
Right guard
Alex Boone
Good offensive line play is tough to come by given the difficulties of the position. That makes Boone’s switch from tackle to guard all the more impressive. He jumped in as the starter in 2012 and played a hard-nosed, mauling style that helped solidify a nasty right side of the offensive line (more on this later). Boone’s exit was tumultuous, but he was an undeniably key member of the 49ers’ offensive front through half the decade.
Can a current player replace him?
Probably not. Whether it’s Mike Person or Joshua Garnett at right guard, neither player has done, or will do, enough to warrant a nod over Boone.
Right tackle
Anthony Davis
Davis started every game for San Francisco between 2010 and 2014 after they took him in the first round of the 2010 draft. He started the first seven games of the 2014 season before a concussion sidelined him for the year. He retired and un-retired twice before being officially released by the 49ers this offseason. His nastiness alongside Boone on the right side of the offensive line made San Francisco’s front formidable on both sides, even if Boone and Davis weren’t on the same level as Staley and Iupati from a skill set standpoint.
Can a current player replace him?
Mike McGlinchey certainly can if he picks up where he left off at the end of his rookie season. The No. 9 overall pick in 2018 had a strong first year, and could wind up on an All-Pro team if he improves in Year 2. While the longevity isn’t there yet, McGlinchey may wind up simply being better than Davis and supplanting him on the All-Decade club.
