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Thin at tackle: The secret of 49ers lineman Joe Staley's longevity | The Sacramento Bee

The Sporting News thought the 49ers' 2007 draft was worthy of a B+ grade. Linebacker Patrick Willis was a great top pick, the publication raved, but the team's other first-round choice, tackle Joe Staley, was a mere "workout warrior" and a "big-time reach."

Eleven years later, Willis and 26 other first-round picks from the 2007 draft are out of the league, but Staley still is going strong.

The 49ers left tackle turns 34 in August and admitted recently that he dealt with "body-fatigue" issues during the team's 0-9 start that had him wondering how long he had left.