Some arguments can last a lifetime.
In this case, we don't have that much time. In reality, we only have a few days to debate which draft pick was the greatest of them all in the proud history of the San Francisco 49ers.
We toiled with ranking the top picks ever made by the club, but then again, how do you compare and contrast the contributions of Hall of Famers of the past or break down the merits of current contributors on the squad?
We're not touching that. (That's why there's such a thing as a comments section for internet articles).
We've compiled the most notable draft selections in team history in order of overall selection in the draft.
Feel free to tell us why we're wrong or who we've forgotten.
A look at some of the greatest draft selections ever made by the San Francisco 49ers.
Brodie was the third overall pick in 1957 (first round) out of Stanford.
Johnson was the sixth overall pick in 1961 (first round) out of UCLA.
TE Vernon Davis
Young was the seventh overall in 1994 (first round) out of Notre Dame.
Krueger was eighth overall pick in 1958 (first round) out of Texas A&M.
Lott was the eighth overall pick in 1981 (first round) out of USC.
McElhenny was the ninth overall pick in 1952 (first round) out of Washington.
Nomellini was the 11th overall pick in 1950 (first round) out of Minnesota.
LB Patrick Willis
Rice was the 16th overall pick in 1985 (first round) out of Mississippi Valley State.
Staley was the 28th overall pick in 2007 (first round) out of Central Michigan.
Wilcox was the 29th overall pick in 1964 (third round) out of Oregon.
Soltau was the 30th overall pick in 1950 (third round) out of Minnesota.
St. Clair was the 32nd overall pick in 1953 (third round) out of USF.
Kaepernick was the 36th pick in 2011 (second round) out of Nevada.
Craig was the 49th pick in 1983 (second round) out of Nebraska.
Gore was the 65th overall pick in 2005 (third round) out of Miami.
Taylor was the 76th overall pick in 1986 (third round) out of Delaware State.
Montana was the 82nd overall pick in 1979 (third round) out of Notre Dame.
WR Terrell Owens
Bowman was the 91st overall pick in 2010 (third round) out of Penn State.
DE Charles Haley
Hanks was the 122nd overall pick in 1991 (fifth round) out of Iowa.
Owens was the 160th overall pick in 1956 (14th round) out of the College of Idaho.
Clark was the 249th overall pick in 1979 (10th round) out of Clemson.
Sapolu was the 289th overall pick in 1981 (11th round) out of Hawaii.
Oh, and while you're reading this, make sure to watch the first ever live programming created by 49ers Studios. Watch our "49ers Live Draft Show" starting at 4:30 p.m. PT on 49ers.com/live.
See you then.
