Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Identifying the best player at each position after 10 games

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Carlos Hyde #28 during their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Carlos Hyde #28 during their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/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) /

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.