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San Francisco 49ers: Which players wind up making the Pro Bowl this season?

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/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

If you had to bet all your money on one player from the 49ers making the Pro Bowl, this is it.

Simply put, second-year defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is the best player on San Francisco’s roster right now. And he’s been one of the better defenders in the entire NFL.

Buckner’s traditional stat line doesn’t jump off the page. His 34 tackles are decent, but people are going to look at the mere 1.5 sacks as a question mark.

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Yet this is where stats are deceiving. As any semi-advanced football fan knows, quarterback pressure isn’t just about sack totals. And if we use the Pro Football Focus grading system, Buckner is doing this about as well as anyone else in the league.

Per PFF, Buckner is sixth among all interior defenders with an elite-level 90.6 overall grade. And his 88.6 pass-rush grade is fifth.

Buckner would probably need to have one of those extra-special seasons to be selected as a first-team All-Pro, and it’s likely a long shot he reaches that accolade after 2017. But a Pro Bowl nod doesn’t just seem likely, it’s probable.

The NFL has opened up voting for the 2018 Pro Bowl, so be sure to head on over and vote for your favorite players.

Next: 3 reasons why the 49ers make the playoffs in 2018

Oh, and do us a nice by voting for the players mentioned here. That way, you make Niner Noise look smart!