San Francisco 49ers: The Best 5 Draft Picks Of The Last Decade

Patrick Willis, Round 1/Pick #11, 2007

Dec 23, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) prevents the pass intended for Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) during the second quarter of the final regular season game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

This man needs no introduction. Willis has been the ideal mold for an inside linebacker since he was drafted in the fist round of the 2007 draft. Willis has held the crown as the best ILB in the game for some time now. Willis has a ridiculous amount of awards and accolades for his play. He has made the pro bowl every single year he has been in the NFL, and has made the All-Pro list six out of seven times. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007. He has led the NFL in tackles twice in his career (2007, 2009). His former coach and hall of fame linebacker Mike Singletary had this to say about Willis and Ray Lewis: “I’ve coached two of the greatest linebackers — one that has already proven to be one of the greatest and one who will prove to be.” If Willis continues his amazing level of play, he will go down as one of the greatest linebackers in the history of the NFL.