It's pretty clear that the duo of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch form one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL.

The track record speaks for itself. The 49ers have done a helluva job composing what many believe to be the NFL's best roster and they've done it through solid drafting and smart moves in free agency. Whether it be bringing players in or letting them walk.

ESPN recently put a list of the top-50 draft steals since 2013 and sure enough, the 49ers were represented quite well thanks to the trio of George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Fred Warner. As a result, the 49ers tied for the second-most players (3) on the list.

Below is how the authors, draft experts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid compiled the list:

• First-rounders weren't included, even if they were taken late on Day 1. Undrafted free agents were also excluded since the list would skew in that direction.
• To qualify, a player must have been drafted at least 15 spots — roughly half a round — later than he should have been, and that's just the floor for the exercise.
• There aren't any 2023 draft picks here — they haven't even played a game yet! Only players drafted between 2013 and 2022 were eligible for our ranking.

George Kittle was ranked the highest at No. 8

Understandably so, the three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler was the first 49er to appear on the list:

Drafted: No. 146 in 2017 (San Francisco 49ers)
Career stats: 395 receptions for 5,254 yards and 31 TDs in six seasons

Kittle is one of the best fifth-round picks and most versatile tight ends in NFL history. He was primarily known as a blocker coming out of Iowa. There wasn't much of a receiving sample size, yet it only took him two seasons to establish himself as a premiere offensive talent; he broke out for 88 catches, 1,377 receiving yards and 5 TDs in 2018. A staple of the Kyle Shanahan offensive attack, Kittle is not only a overwhelming presence in the run game but also the type of pass-catcher who can line up anywhere prior to the snap. — Jordan Reid, ESPN

Kittle has amassed the second-most receiving yards, the third-most receptions, and the fourth-most receiving touchdowns among all tight ends since entering the league in 2017. His 64.1 yards per game are third-best and his 247 first downs are second-best, as well. His catch rate of 71.9% and his 13.3 yards per reception each rank fourth among all tight ends with at least 203 targets since 2017.

But it's not Kittle's receiving prowess that makes him elite. His run blocking abilities and his ability to rack up yards-after-the-catch are what separate him from the others. In terms of all-around tight ends, Kittle is easily tops in the game.

The fact the 49ers got him in the fifth round is absolutely wild to think about and should be considered highway robbery, honestly.

Fred Warner is up next – literally

Warner -the NFL's best off-ball linebacker- came in right after Kittle at No. 9:

Drafted: No. 70 in 2018 (San Francisco 49ers)
Career stats: 633 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 4 interceptions in five seasons

Warner entered the NFL as a lightly heralded prospect from BYU who ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at 230 pounds. He ultimately was the ninth linebacker drafted in the 2018 class. Warner quickly outplayed that third-round draft spot and has arguably been the NFL's most consistent linebacker since arriving in San Francisco. He hasn't missed a start in five years and is a two-time first-team All-Pro. — Matt Miller, ESPN

Warner is the ultimate three-down linebacker that can play the run game and cover almost any assignment given to him. It's integral for a split-safety defense to have a MIKE that can cover and Warner gives new defensive coordinator Steve Wilkes -along with DeMeco Ryans before him- just that.

And last but not least, Mr. Deebo Samuel comes in at No. 14

It's probably safe to say Samuel would've been ranked a lot higher if he didn't have the down year he had in 2022:

Drafted: No. 36 in 2019 (San Francisco 49ers)
Career stats: 223 receptions for 3,230 yards and 12 TDs (123 rushes for 782 yards and 14 TDs) in four seasons

Samuel was the most versatile prospect of a talented 2019 receiver class, but he was a late bloomer during the pre-draft process. He battled injuries throughout his four-year career at South Carolina, but a dominant senior season — including a standout showing at the Senior Bowl — helped his stock tremendously. As a pro, Samuel has posted a 1,400-yard season and rushed for 6.4 yards per carry, occasionally lining up in the backfield. — Jordan Reid, ESPN

Samuel recently admitted 2022 was an "awful" year for him and it stemmed from the contract negotiations that took up a good chunk of his offseason. 

What he said afterward, however, should excite 49ers fans and scare the other 31 fanbases.

"We talked about it, we put it behind us and [were] just going through the tape and just look how sluggish and how bad it looked on tape," said Samuel. "… I'll never put nothing on tape like that again."

That's a pretty scary thought for a player that's already established himself as one of the best players at his position and in the NFL, as a whole.

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It's pretty remarkable to have three players in the top-14 of this list. The only team that fielded a more-impressive haul was the Kansas City Chiefs, who had three players in the top-12 (Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Chris Jones).

Regardless, it's more proof that the 49ers' front office is one of the NFL's best. And based off last year's seventh-round pick in Brock Purdy, it doesn't seem like it's going away anytime soon.

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Featured image via Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports