49ers: Ranking the 10 best NFL Draft picks of the decade

Ranking 49ers 10 best NFL Draft picks of the decade

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

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DeForest Buckner #99 (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner

2016 NFL Draft

Round 1, Pick No. 7

The 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner had a true breakout season in 2018. He exploded with 12 sacks and was arguably the lone bright spot on a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in every important category.

Fast forward a year, and the Niners are at the top of nearly every defensive statistic with Buckner still at the center of the defensive line.

Buckner’s sacks have dropped to 7.5 on the year, which is still very respectable, especially considering the number of sacks distributed to his fellow linemen, showing he’s still creating havoc up front.

Buckner has been extremely dependable, too, missing only one game in his four-year career.

He has shown flashes throughout the years that have made him well deserving of being taken No. 7 overall back in 2016.

He is a consistent force on the defense that provides the size and strength a great defense needs in the interior.