Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 5 players who make the 2019 Pro Bowl

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Linebacker Reuben Foster

Linebacker Reuben Foster will be suspended for the first two games of 2018, which isn’t a bad result after all the offseason drama and legal issues he had to face.

The 49ers defense is infinitely better with Foster in the lineup. To put things into perspective, Foster still ranked second on the team in tackles last year (59) despite missing six games his rookie season due to injury.

Pro Football Focus recognized his efforts too, awarding him a 90.7 overall grade — fourth best among all linebackers, not just rookies.

The key now will be Foster staying healthy. He had an injury reputation entering the league, and that’s unfortunately followed him over to the NFL level. Same with the off-field concerns, even if his 2018 issues were largely resolved without much repercussion.

Let’s assume, though, Foster can be a regular contributor on the field for the remaining 14 games of the upcoming year. If that’s the case, there’s little doubt he can reach his first Pro Bowl with relative ease, perhaps even earning first-team All-Pro honors in the process.