Despite a number of upgrades and roster changes during the offseason, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner remains the San Francisco 49ers‘ best defensive player heading into 2019.
It’s not hard to understand why.
Buckner has been the Niners’ lone constant on that side of the ball since being selected No. 7 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact as a starter his rookie season, registering six sacks, and was one of Pro Football Focus‘ top-graded interior defensive linemen the following year.
Finally, after a career-high 12.0 sacks in 2018, Buckner was named to his first Pro Bowl.