Who Was The Biggest Steal? #5

Number five on the list of the 10 best 49er draft picks is an appropriate place for this player. As the only man in NFL history that can wear five world championship rings, he is in a class by himself.

Previously: Number 10 - Y.A. Tittle, Number 9 - Ronnie Lott, Number 8 - Terrell Owens,
Number 7 - Dave Wilcox, Number 6 - Merton Hanks

Number 5:

1986 - Round - 4 - LB - Charles Haley, James Madison

While a case could be made that the year 1986 may well be the 49ers best single draft year with players such as FB Tom Rathman and WR John Taylor being added in the earlier rounds, it was the 49ers 4th round choice of Charles Haley that helped give the San Francisco defense a much needed pass rusher to wreck havoc on opposing quarterbacks. A versatile defensive player, Haley began his career as a specialty outside linebacker, eventually progressing to pass-rusher and finally full-fledged defensive end.

Haley has the distinction of being the only player in NFL history to have been on five Super Bowl winning teams. To date, no other player has surpassed his good fortune. Playing for San Francisco from 1986-1991, he won a ring from Super Bowl XXIII and XXIV following the 1988 and 1989 seasons, respectively. After having a fall out with then 49ers head coach George Seifert, he was traded to Dallas in the 1992 off-season, which turned out to be a fortunate move for Haley as he joined another football dynasty at its peak. With the Dallas Cowboys, he won three more Super Bowl rings over the next four seasons.

Although injuries would eventually force retirement in 1996, Haley did briefly come out of retirement for the 1998 playoffs to aid the 49ers, and afterwards played another season in 1999 for them. Finally out of playing football for good, Haley turned to assistant coaching, and was a defensive assistant for the Detroit Lions. In his 12 NFL seasons, Haley recorded 100 quarterback sacks, 2 interceptions, and 8 fumble recoveries. He was also selected to play in 5 pro bowls and was named NFL All-Pro in 1990.