San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 10 most important players in 2018
By Aaron Tan
![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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9400bfe7dbeb9b957b999e080587688546027221f6951ccac6ef1046a045f183.jpg)
No. 5: Defensive End DeForest Buckner
DeForest Buckner is already one of the best defensive linemen in the league, and he is only 23 years old.
After a relatively slow rookie season, Buckner experienced a very productive sophomore year, tallying four sacks, 19 hits and 29 hurries on the season, according to Pro Football Focus. And he did it without a great supporting cast around him. That’s hard to do for a defensive lineman, who usually rely on the other defensive linemen around him to make tackles on the ball carrier.
With a two full seasons’ experience now under his belt, Buckner’s arrow is only pointing up. He is a game wrecker and is a player that the team should build around for the future.