San Francisco 49ers: 5 players in line for contract extensions in 2018
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner
2020 Unrestricted Free Agent (Pending a Fifth-Year Option)
There are surely arguments against extensions for any of the aforementioned players.
But one that’s a no-brainer is an extension given to defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who has quietly emerged as one of, if not the best defender for San Francisco.
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Sure, the traditional stats may not tell much (he had just three sacks in 2017). But there’s so much more Buckner does from the 3-technique spot. No wonder why Pro Football Focus ranked Buckner the No. 6 overall interior defender last season. And with an improving cast of players surrounding him, it’s no surprise more than a few NFL experts are pegging Buckner to have a breakout season in 2018.
Buckner will be due just under $10.75 million the next two years before a possible fifth-year option in 2020.
The 49ers could consider that route, of course. But if Buckner finally winds up being a household name-kind of player over the next two seasons, any price tag would likely land the former first-round draftee in the top-five range of defensive tackles.
Getting ahead of the curve would be wise for the Niners here. A renegotiated extension could easily front-load Buckner’s contract, doing so at a time when a sizable chunk of the team’s on-roster players are still playing on rookie deals.
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Meanwhile, Buckner would remain a part of the team with no worries of him being tempted to test the open market.