San Francisco 49ers All-Time Interceptions Leaders starts with Ronnie Lott, the franchise record-holder with 51 regular-season interceptions. For a team with Jimmy Johnson, Kermit Alexander, Merton Hanks, Dwight Hicks and several other standout defensive backs in its history, Lott still sitting at No. 1 shows why he remains the standard for 49ers secondary greatness.
Jimmy Johnson ranks second with 47 interceptions, while Kermit Alexander sits third with 36. Merton Hanks and Dwight Hicks round out the top five, and the corrected top-10 range also includes Lowell Wagner, Tony Parrish, Don Griffin, Rex Berry and Dave Baker.
For the full team index, visit our San Francisco 49ers all-time leaders and player rankings hub. This list uses regular-season interceptions recorded with the San Francisco 49ers only.
How This 49ers Interceptions List Works
This list ranks the San Francisco 49ers all-time interceptions leaders by regular-season defensive interceptions recorded with the franchise. It does not include playoff interceptions, preseason stats or interceptions recorded with another NFL team.
That matters for players like Ronnie Lott, Tony Parrish and other defensive backs who also had NFL chapters outside San Francisco. For this leaderboard, only their 49ers production counts.
This corrected ranking follows the regular-season 49ers interception leaderboard, led by Ronnie Lott with 51 interceptions, Jimmy Johnson with 47 and Kermit Alexander with 36.
Last updated: 2026 offseason. No active 49ers player appears in the corrected top 10.
Interceptions vs. 49ers Defensive Back Legacy
Interceptions are the cleanest stat for this kind of leaderboard, but they do not tell the full story of defensive back value. Ronnie Lott was more than a ball hawk. He could cover, hit, lead and move between cornerback and safety while setting the tone for a dynasty defense.
Jimmy Johnson’s case is also bigger than the box score. He played cornerback at a Hall of Fame level for years, but because his prime came before modern tracking for targets, completion rate allowed and passer rating allowed, interceptions remain one of the easiest ways to show his production.
That is why this post separates the 49ers interception leaderboard from a straight ranking of the best 49ers defensive backs ever. This is a stat list, not an all-around legacy list.
Table of Contents
- How This 49ers Interceptions List Works
- Interceptions vs. 49ers Defensive Back Legacy
- 1. Ronnie Lott — 51 Interceptions
- 2. Jimmy Johnson — 47 Interceptions
- 3. Kermit Alexander — 36 Interceptions
- 4. Merton Hanks — 31 Interceptions
- 5. Dwight Hicks — 30 Interceptions
- 6. Lowell Wagner — 25 Interceptions
- 7. Tony Parrish — 22 Interceptions
- 7. Don Griffin — 22 Interceptions
- 7. Rex Berry — 22 Interceptions
- 10. Dave Baker — 21 Interceptions
- Biggest Takeaways
- Full Ranking Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More 49ers and NFL Rankings
1. Ronnie Lott — 51 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1981–1990 with San Francisco, franchise-record 51 interceptions, 643 interception return yards, five interception return touchdowns, four Super Bowl championships, multiple Pro Bowls, multiple first-team All-Pro selections and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back.
Ronnie Lott is the San Francisco 49ers all-time interceptions leader with 51. That number only tells part of the story, because Lott was also one of the most complete defensive backs in NFL history.
He could play cornerback, free safety or strong safety, and he brought a rare mix of coverage ability, instincts and physical intimidation. Quarterbacks had to respect his range, but receivers also had to deal with his hitting power.
Lott’s 51 interceptions with the 49ers came during the greatest championship era in franchise history. He was not just collecting stats; he was setting the tone for a dynasty defense.
2. Jimmy Johnson — 47 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1961–1976 with San Francisco, 47 interceptions, 615 interception return yards, two interception return touchdowns, five Pro Bowls, multiple All-Pro honors and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback.
Jimmy Johnson ranks second in 49ers career interceptions with 47. He is one of the greatest cornerbacks in franchise history and one of the best defensive players the team has ever had.
Johnson’s career was built on coverage skill, intelligence and consistency. He played a long time in San Francisco and gave the 49ers elite cornerback play before the franchise became known for its 1980s dynasty.
Because he played before modern coverage stats, interceptions remain one of the clearest ways to show his production. Johnson’s 47 picks keep him right behind Lott in the franchise record book.
3. Kermit Alexander — 36 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1963–1969 with San Francisco, 36 interceptions, 499 interception return yards, one interception return touchdown and one of the strongest ball-hawking résumés in early 49ers defensive history.
Kermit Alexander ranks third in 49ers career interceptions with 36. His San Francisco run was not as long as some other names on this list, which makes the total even more impressive.
Alexander was a dangerous defensive back who could take the ball away and flip field position. During the 1960s, he became one of the franchise’s most productive interception threats.
His 36 interceptions place him clearly behind only Lott and Johnson. That makes Alexander one of the most important defensive backs in 49ers history.
4. Merton Hanks — 31 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1991–1998 with San Francisco, 31 interceptions, 380 interception return yards, two interception return touchdowns, one Super Bowl championship, multiple Pro Bowls and multiple All-Pro honors.
Merton Hanks ranks fourth with 31 interceptions. He was one of the signature defensive players of the 1990s 49ers and one of the most recognizable safeties of his era.
Hanks had range, instincts and a strong feel for where the ball was going. His famous celebration made him memorable, but his coverage production is what keeps him high on this leaderboard.
He was a key piece of the 1994 Super Bowl defense and one of the best ball-hawking safeties the franchise has ever had.
5. Dwight Hicks — 30 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1979–1985 with San Francisco, 30 interceptions, 586 interception return yards, three interception return touchdowns, two Super Bowl championships and multiple Pro Bowls.
Dwight Hicks ranks fifth in 49ers career interceptions with 30. He was the leader of the famous “Dwight Hicks and the Hot Licks” secondary during the early Bill Walsh era.
Hicks gave the 49ers intelligence, communication and playmaking on the back end. His leadership helped transform the defense as San Francisco rose from rebuilding team to Super Bowl champion.
His 30 interceptions show that he was not just a veteran presence. Hicks made plays, created turnovers and helped define the first great 49ers dynasty defense.
6. Lowell Wagner — 25 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1949–1953 and 1955 with San Francisco, 25 interceptions, 331 interception return yards and one of the strongest early defensive back résumés in franchise history.
Lowell Wagner ranks sixth on the corrected 49ers interceptions leaderboard with 25. He is an old-school name, but he absolutely belongs in the franchise record book.
Wagner played during the early years of the 49ers, when the franchise was still building its identity. Defensive backs from that era often do not get the same attention as modern players, but his ball production was real.
His 25 interceptions place him ahead of several more familiar names, which is why a proper 49ers interceptions leaderboard needs him inside the top 10.
7. Tony Parrish — 22 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 2002–2006 with San Francisco, 22 interceptions, 504 interception return yards, one interception return touchdown and one of the best short defensive stretches by a 49ers safety in the 2000s.
Tony Parrish is tied for seventh with 22 interceptions. His time with the 49ers was not extremely long, but his takeaway production was excellent.
Parrish had a huge 2003 season, when he tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions. That single season alone makes him one of the most memorable ball-hawking safeties in modern 49ers history.
Because he reached 22 interceptions in only a handful of seasons with San Francisco, Parrish deserves to be in the corrected top 10.
7. Don Griffin — 22 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1986–1993 with San Francisco, 22 interceptions, 49 interception return yards and two Super Bowl championships.
Don Griffin is also tied for seventh with 22 interceptions. He played during one of the most successful stretches in 49ers history and gave the defense steady cornerback play.
Griffin was not always the loudest name on those loaded San Francisco teams, but he was reliable. He played smart football, handled tough coverage assignments and made enough plays on the ball to stay high on this list.
Some secondary graphics underrate Griffin’s interception total. The corrected 49ers total puts him at 22, inside the franchise top 10.
7. Rex Berry — 22 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1951–1956 with San Francisco, 22 interceptions, 404 interception return yards and three interception return touchdowns.
Rex Berry is tied with Tony Parrish and Don Griffin at 22 interceptions. Like Lowell Wagner, he is an older 49ers defensive back who should not be overlooked.
Berry played in the 1950s and was one of the team’s early ball hawks. His interception production helped establish San Francisco’s defensive back tradition before the modern passing era.
His 22 picks keep him in the corrected top 10, ahead of several more recognizable names from later eras.
10. Dave Baker — 21 Interceptions
San Francisco 49ers Stats & Accolades: 1959–1961 with San Francisco, 21 interceptions, 294 interception return yards and a franchise single-season record 10 interceptions in 1960.
Dave Baker rounds out the corrected top 10 with 21 interceptions. His 49ers career was short, but his peak was outstanding.
Baker’s 1960 season remains one of the best takeaway seasons in franchise history. Recording 10 interceptions in one year is a major achievement in any era.
That peak production is why Baker belongs in the top 10 ahead of Tim McDonald, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson and R.W. McQuarters.
Biggest Takeaways From the 49ers Interceptions List
The biggest takeaway is that Ronnie Lott still owns the franchise record. His 51 interceptions keep him ahead of Jimmy Johnson and every other defensive back in San Francisco history.
The second takeaway is that the corrected leaderboard is different from some common 49ers graphics. Lowell Wagner, Tony Parrish, Rex Berry, Don Griffin and Dave Baker all belong in the top 10.
The third takeaway is how deep the 49ers secondary history is. From Jimmy Johnson and Kermit Alexander to Dwight Hicks, Merton Hanks and Ronnie Lott, San Francisco has had elite defensive backs across multiple eras.
Full Ranking Table: San Francisco 49ers All-Time Interceptions Leaders
Note: This table is sorted by regular-season interceptions with the 49ers only.
| Rank | Player | 49ers Years | Interceptions | INT Yards | INT TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ronnie Lott | 1981–1990 | 51 | 643 | 5 |
| 2 | Jimmy Johnson | 1961–1976 | 47 | 615 | 2 |
| 3 | Kermit Alexander | 1963–1969 | 36 | 499 | 1 |
| 4 | Merton Hanks | 1991–1998 | 31 | 380 | 2 |
| 5 | Dwight Hicks | 1979–1985 | 30 | 586 | 3 |
| 6 | Lowell Wagner | 1949–1955 | 25 | 331 | 0 |
| 7 | Rex Berry | 1951–1956 | 22 | 404 | 3 |
| 7 | Don Griffin | 1986–1993 | 22 | 49 | 0 |
| 7 | Tony Parrish | 2002–2006 | 22 | 504 | 1 |
| 10 | Dave Baker | 1959–1961 | 21 | 294 | 0 |
| 11 | Tim McDonald | 1993–1999 | 20 | 325 | 3 |
| 11 | Dicky Moegle | 1955–1959 | 20 | 232 | 1 |
| 13 | Zack Bronson | 1997–2003 | 19 | 346 | 2 |
| 14 | Bruce Taylor | 1970–1977 | 18 | 201 | 0 |
| 14 | Eric Wright | 1981–1990 | 18 | 256 | 2 |
| 16 | Carlton Williamson | 1981–1987 | 17 | 294 | 1 |
| 17 | Tim McKyer | 1986–1989 | 16 | 62 | 1 |
| 18 | Walt Harris | 2006–2010 | 15 | 151 | 1 |
| 18 | Abe Woodson | 1958–1964 | 15 | 159 | 0 |
| 20 | Dashon Goldson | 2007–2012 | 14 | 152 | 1 |
| 20 | Frank Nunley | 1967–1976 | 14 | 136 | 0 |
| 20 | Skip Vanderbundt | 1969–1977 | 14 | 165 | 2 |
| 20 | Dave Wilcox | 1964–1974 | 14 | 149 | 1 |
| 24 | Eric Davis | 1990–1995 | 12 | 202 | 2 |
| 24 | Tyronne Drakeford | 1994–2001 | 12 | 86 | 0 |
FAQ: San Francisco 49ers All-Time Interceptions Leaders
Who has the most interceptions in San Francisco 49ers history?
Ronnie Lott has the most interceptions in San Francisco 49ers history with 51 regular-season interceptions.
Who is second in 49ers career interceptions?
Jimmy Johnson ranks second in 49ers career interceptions with 47 interceptions.
Who is third in San Francisco 49ers all-time interceptions?
Kermit Alexander ranks third with 36 interceptions for San Francisco.
Is Eric Wright in the 49ers interceptions top 10?
No. Eric Wright is not in the corrected 49ers interceptions top 10. He is credited with 18 interceptions as a 49er.
Is Tim McDonald in the 49ers interceptions top 10?
No. Tim McDonald is just outside the corrected 49ers top 10 with 20 interceptions.
Who should be No. 10 on the 49ers interceptions leaderboard?
Dave Baker should be No. 10 with 21 interceptions.
Are playoff interceptions included in this ranking?
No. This ranking uses regular-season interceptions with the 49ers only. Playoff interceptions are not included.
Conclusion: Ronnie Lott Still Leads the 49ers Interceptions List
Ronnie Lott remains the San Francisco 49ers all-time interceptions leader with 51. Jimmy Johnson is second with 47, while Kermit Alexander is third with 36. That top three gives San Francisco one of the strongest defensive back histories in the NFL.
The corrected list also shows why the 49ers leaderboard needs proper stat checking. Lowell Wagner, Tony Parrish, Rex Berry, Don Griffin and Dave Baker belong in the top 10, while Eric Wright, Tim McDonald, Carlton Williamson and R.W. McQuarters should not appear there.
For now, the interceptions crown still belongs to Lott — the legendary defensive back who helped define the 49ers dynasty and remains the greatest ball hawk in franchise history.
More 49ers and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture, visit our San Francisco 49ers all-time leaders and player rankings hub and our best San Francisco 49ers players of all-time ranking.
You can also read our related 49ers pages for best San Francisco 49ers defensive players of all-time, San Francisco 49ers all-time sacks leaders, San Francisco 49ers all-time passing yards leaders and San Francisco 49ers all-time receiving yards leaders.
For broader NFL history, check out our best NFL defensive backs of all-time, best NFL defensive players of all-time and the NFL team all-time player rankings hub. You can also follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.
