Niner Noise
FanSided

Four Rising Stars in the NFC West

By Peter Felsch

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

DeForest Buckner, DT San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are in the midst of a rebuild, and last season’s lone bright spot was rookie standout DeForest Buckner.

He came out with a bang in his rookie season totaling 25 stops in the interior, which led all rookies. He has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with and figures to be the centerpiece for the new 49ers regime.

Seattle’s Michael Bennett, with whom Buckner works out in Hawaii, has high praise for the second year player.

He says, “I think DeForest, I’m lucky to be working with a guy like that,” Bennett told KHON-TV in Hawaii. “I think DeForest will eventually be a Defensive Player of the Year.”

The sky is the limit for the 6-foot-7, 300-pound D-Lineman. He can play all along the front in the new 4-3 scheme and should excel with playing less snaps keeping his legs fresh in rotation.