San Francisco 49ers: 5 Most likely Pro Bowlers
4. DeForest Buckner
The stats are not there for DeForest Buckner. A seventh overall pick in 2016 by the 49ers, Buckner has just 1.5 sacks on the season.
But the performances have been there from the former Oregon star. Going into Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, Buckner had 35 total pressures — according to Pro Football Focus — having consistently been able to overpower offensive linemen one on one and take on double teams effectively.
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Buckner’s play this season has merited some much more flattering numbers, though he is among the team leaders in tackles with 45. He may not yet be recognized as such, but Buckner is developing into one of the elite interior defensive linemen in the league. A strong run of form down the stretch may see him get the recognition he deserves with a Pro Bowl nod.
3. Reuben Foster
Reuben Foster may have only completed two full games, but his performances in those contests have been of a Pro Bowl caliber. The first-round rookie linebacker has racked up 24 tackles in the last two games, demonstrating the instincts and sideline-to-sideline athleticism that made him such a highly rated prospect.
Foster is ninth on the team in tackles and is a strong candidate to finish top of that list come the end of his campaign, which could come to a close in Orlando should he continue to catch the eye.