DeForest Buckner is intent on turning "almosts" into sacks this season.
The 49ers defensive tackle led the NFL with 19 quarterback hits last year, according to Pro Football Focus. His three sacks in 2017, however, was tied for 114th best and was three fewer than he had as a rookie the year prior.
"If I had that extra step, it definitely could have been 19 sacks or something," Buckner said Wednesday at a San Jose event to celebrate the area's upcoming national championship game. The game will be played at Levi's Stadium on Jan. 7 with a host of concerts and other fan events in downtown San Jose in the run-up to kickoff.