49ers 2018 offseason positional preview: Defensive line

49ers Defensive Lineman to Watch in 2018: DeForest Buckner

Last year, Pro Football Focus ranked DeForest Buckner the No. 6 overall interior defender in the NFL. Additionally, Buckner’s pass-rush productivity rating was 8.2 — fifth best among 38 qualifying interior linemen, per PFF — and his 52 total quarterback pressures ranked second in this same category behind the Cincinnati Bengals’ Geno Atkins.

And yet Buckner was a Pro Bowl snub.

Why? Well, it’s possible the powers that be looked harder at the traditional stats. Buckner had just three sacks on the year, which was down from six his rookie season. And his 45 tackles were up just two from the amount he registered in 2016.

It also didn’t help the Niners weren’t particularly good, defensively, for much of his 2017 campaign.

At any rate, one might look for Buckner to be a serious breakout candidate this season.

Sports Illustrated’s Andy Benoit described why:

"Buckner’s three sacks weren’t enough to draw national attention last season, but people in the building are quick to point out that his 19 QB hits led all interior defensive players. Given how much on-the-fly learning he did in 2017, the 6′ 7″, 300-pounder could be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in 2018."

Interestingly enough, Buckner pointed out in Benoit’s article he played in 3-4 defenses only before 2017. With a full year’s experience now in the books, Buckner will no longer be adjusting and learning.

He should be able to let his talents fly, which is a scary thing for opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks.