The 49ers' star defensive lineman appears stronger, and he's got help along the line.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner enters his fourth season with a lot at stake both for him and the 49ers. His career-high 12 sacks and first Pro Bowl invitation last year have him poised for a lucrative contract extension.
With a stronger supporting cast, Buckner, 25, is also potentially lined up for his first playoff push, as long as he doesn’t let NFC West quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray duck under his grasp (more on that below).
Here are nine questions for him.
1. Have you gotten, dare I say, stronger?
I feel I’ve leaned up a lot. I’m still the same. I weighed in at 299. I got better with eating. I changed my diet a lot, thanks to my wife. Eating cleaner helped me lose some fat. And I feel I’m lifting a little more.
2. What is the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you on a football field?
Oooh, this is a good one. The Philly game my second year, the whole week I was talking about Carson Wentz and how he ducks in the pocket when guys are trying to sack him.
The whole week I was telling the D-line, “’He likes to duck. He likes to duck. He likes to duck.” I get a clean hit on him, and he ducked it, and I missed the sack.
I didn’t even listen to myself.
3. With a contract extension looming, are you going to wait and see if your value skyrockets?
I see what’s going on in the league, guys holding out. I’m just focused on this year. I’m excited for it. I don’t want any distractions. I’m not focused on that right now.
On NFL Network, @MoveTheSticks named #49ers DeForest Buckner his most underrated defensive player in the league. pic.twitter.com/jcggiZldfA
— Dylan DeSimone (@DylanADeSimone) May 20, 2019
4. What is your favorite matchup in practice?
I love going against Laken (Tomlinson). We battle every OTA and camp. He’s a really good guy to go against. I love going against him doing one-on-ones. I feel I get better, and I hope he feels the same way. He’s a powerful guy.
5. Are there greater expectations on the defensive line with the new guys now?
We look forward to the challenge. We made some great additions in the offseason, and we’ve been working together. The guys are up for the challenge. There are a lot of expectations. Guys have to dominate at the point of attack.
6. What leadership role do you have with them?
I’m one of the leaders in that room, and I have to be more of a vocal leader. I try to lead by example. But it’s like horizontal leadership in that room. Everybody is a leader. Everybody can speak up.
7. What is it like with new defensive line coach Kris Kocurek?
He brings a lot of energy every day, and he’s consistent with it. We love that about him. He tells stories sometimes and gets guys laughing, but he knows when to get serious and get stuff done.
8. Do you expect fewer snaps with Dee Ford and Nick Bosa in the mix?
Honestly, the whole snaps situation, I don’t know what to tell you. I love to be out there as much as I can. Whatever the coaches feel is right through the course of the game, knowing when to rotate me out, it’s really on the coaches. I’ll be out there as much as I can.
9. After breaking out last season, where can you improve most?
The better my technique gets, the more efficient and consistent I’ll be, and the faster I’ll get to the quarterback.
