A 49ers defense without DeFo? Dunno how that’s going to look.
By trading away defensive tackle DeForest Buckner last week to the Indianapolis Colts, the 49ers gambled that their once-menacing front can survive.
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After all, that is what they are paying for in Arik Armstead, Dee Ford, Nick Bosa, and Solomon Thomas, not to mention others in the rotation.
Bosa’s addition last season made the biggest impact. Everyone benefited, from his fellow linemen to the suddenly ball-hawking secondary. That is not to minimize Buckner’s contributions, as a durable force on the inside that often commanded double teams and provided more pocket pressure that people realize.