Defensive Line
Best Player: Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner
Again, another easy choice here.
Second-year defensive tackle has easily been the 49ers’ best and most-consistent player this season. Even more so than Reuben Foster, who hasn’t been able to stay on the field as much.
Buckner’s sack totals may be down a bit this year. But that doesn’t mean he’s not making his presence known on the field. If anything, his pocket-wrecking abilities are forcing opponents to scheme around him.
To date, Pro Football Focus ranks Buckner the No. 6 interior defender after Week 11. That’s in the same discussion as players like the Miami Dolphins’ Ndamukong Suh and Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald.
If San Francisco had a proper edge rush, Buckner’s sack totals would be much higher, as quarterbacks wouldn’t be able to escape off to the sides.
Still, Buckner’s presence is pretty evident.
But let’s give a nice little mention to mid-season pickup Leger Douzable, who has made himself known in recent weeks.