Niner Noise
FanSided

5 49ers Who Could Make San Francisco Playoff Contenders

By Chandler Wright

Nov 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (15) scores a receiving touchdown against Virginia Cavaliers cornerback Maurice Canady (26) in the first quarter of their game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (15) scores a receiving touchdown against Virginia Cavaliers cornerback Maurice Canady (26) in the first quarter of their game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) warms up during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) warms up during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) warms up during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: DE DeForest Buckner

Everyone knows the 49ers pass rush was awful last season. The team registered just 28 sacks and gave up 261 yards passing per game. Those numbers are ghastly, and they culminated in a 5-11 record, as well as 387 total yards given up each game.

Enter seventh overall selection DeForest Buckner.

The former Oregon Duck registered 10.5 sacks and five passes defended in 2015. With his 6-foot-7, 290-pound frame, Buckner looks to challenge for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Bringing this kind of intensity to a defensive line, which already has defensive tackle Ian Williams, second-year pro Arik Armstead and defensive tackle Quinton Dial on it, should help elevate the play of the 49ers linebackers.

Inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman should play better against the run, if blockers are occupied, and outside linebackers Aaron Lynch, Eli Harold and Ahmad Brooks should all be getting to the quarterback more with a presence available like Buckner.

Former NFL fullback, Heath Evans of NFL Network, even predicted Buckner would have the biggest impact among defensive lineman, despite an almost-known hatred for both head coach Chip Kelly and his San Francisco 49ers. This says a lot about Buckner, as Evans rarely says any good things about the 49ers.

Buckner should also be really exciting to watch while paired with former and current teammate Arik Armstead. With Armstead entering his sophomore season in San Francisco, and Buckner coming in an extremely polished rookie, the 49ers pass rush should be leaps and bounds better from the inside.

Next: No. 4, Joshua Garnett