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San Francisco 49ers: Identifying 10 cornerstone players for 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled after a short gain by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles is tackled after a short gain by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner

Without question, San Francisco’s best player this year has been defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

Despite a banged-up and inconsistent supporting cast, Buckner remains the No. 2 interior defender this season, per Pro Football Focus. A 91.2 overall grade is elite, no doubt. And Buckner’s ability to wreak havoc within the interior is certainly noteworthy.

And this is just Buckner’s second year.

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Buckner’s stat line might not jump out at you. He has 30 tackles on the year and just 1.5 sacks. Yet this is where stats, out of context, can be deceiving.

Week 9 versus the Cardinals was a perfect example. Buckner recorded a respectable 83.0 game grade, per PFF, and was a constant pass-rushing threat from the interior. But the lack of a good edge rush meant Arizona quarterback Drew Stanton could simply step back to the side to get away from Buckner’s rush.

If San Francisco had a quality EDGE to close off the escape, Buckner gets home for the sack on multiple occasions.

Next: 49ers' 2018 NFL Draft needs after Jimmy Garoppolo trade

Regardless, Buckner is the piece to build around for the Niners defensive front. And since he’s the team’s best overall player this season, there’s no way to keep him out of the No. 1 spot on this list.