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NFL: Selecting the best player in each franchise’s history

By Brad Rowland

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up prior to a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up prior to a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jerry Rice walks the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jerry Rice walks the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco 49ers – Jerry Rice

Jerry Rice is the best player in NFL history.

Yes, you read that correctly: best player in NFL history.

Joe Montana would be the choice for many people to represent the 49ers, and that wouldn’t be explicitly wrong, but Rice’s numbers are patently absurd when compared to his peers. Also, an argument can be made that he greatly aided in Montana’s success. For context, Rice is the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and receiving touchdowns (197) – by a wide margin in each instance – and he is even the leader in total yards from scrimmage by nearly 2,000 yards over Emmitt Smith.

The lion’s share of that work came with the 49ers, before he headed to both Oakland and Seattle to close his career, and Rice has a statistical profile that simply can’t be argued. He was never the most explosive athlete or the highest leaper, but Rice is arguably the best route-runner in league history. His ability to separate from the defense with precision was stunning to watch.

Next: Seattle Seahawks

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