Niner Noise
FanSided

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) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Tom Savage #3 of the Houston Texans avoids a tackle by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Tom Savage #3 of the Houston Texans avoids a tackle by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

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.