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DeForest Buckner was answering a question about being overlooked Wednesday when the 49ers defensive tackle caught himself in mid-sentence.

“Hopefully, along the way, people can notice how great of a player I can …” Buckner said, pausing before hitting the rewind button.

How great of a player he can be? That needed some work.

Buckner continued with his edited thought: “How great of a player I am,” he said.

It’s understandable that Buckner — soft-spoken, humble and team-oriented — felt the need to be uncharacteristically immodest. If he doesn’t point out his brilliance, it’s possible word might never get out.

After his first three NFL seasons, the former No. 7 pick would easily rank among the NFL’s elite, if the league’s centers, guards and offensive coordinators were polled.

But the 6-foot-7, 295-pound force who last year had 12 sacks, fourth most by a 49er since 2000, has yet to be voted to a Pro Bowl or even named to the NFL Network’s annual list of the league’s top 100 players.

What does the lack of Buckner on the top 100, which is voted on by players, say about the top 100?

“That it’s bull—,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said.

It’s not something Buckner would offer. But he did say more Wednesday than he usually does on the topic, offering that the lack of recognition is “frustrating at times, I guess.”

“Honestly, at the end of the day, it’s respect,” said Buckner, who played in last season’s Pro Bowl as an alternate. “That’s my whole thing: Just put some respect on my name. I go out there and, excuse my language, but I bust my ass. I put stuff on tape. The numbers are there. Everything is there.”

But not league-wide acclaim. As an interior defensive lineman, Buckner doesn’t play a glamour position. Consider that even 2018 Pro Bowlers such as Tennessee’s Jurrell Casey and Chicago’s Akiem Hicks aren’t household names. In addition, there is the matter of the 49ers’ lack of success. They are 12-36 during his tenure and there have been few opportunities for Buckner, who doesn’t do self-promotion, to get talked up in prime time.

It’s not just the national media, however. This offseason, the local focus has been on a host of defensive players. Can Nick Bosa and Dee Ford supply the much-needed edge rush? Can healthier All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman recapture his peak form? Can new inside linebacker Kwon Alexander justify his fat free-agent contract?

Buckner? Well, there are really no questions. He’ll probably play every game — he’s missed one in his career — and be one of the team’s best players.

49ers schedule Date Opponent Time Sept. 8 at Tampa Bay 1:25 p.m Sept. 15 at Cincinnati 10 a.m. Sept. 22 Pittsburgh 1:25 p.m. Oct. 7-x Cleveland 5:15 p.m. Oct. 13 at L.A. Rams 1:05 p.m. Oct. 20 at Washington 10 a.m. Oct. 27 Carolina 1:05 p.m. Oct. 31-y at Arizona 5:20 p.m. Nov. 11-x Seattle 5:15 p.m. Nov. 17 Arizona 1:05 p.m. Nov. 24 Green Bay 1:25 p.m. Dec. 1 at Baltimore 10 a.m. Dec. 8 at New Orleans 10 a.m. Dec. 15 Atlanta 1:25 p.m. Dec. 22 L.A. Rams TBA Dec. 29 at Seattle 1:25 p.m. x: Monday; y: Thursday

“I think everyone knows Buck’s one of the best players in this league,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “And, hopefully, this year he gets the recognition he deserves.”

It’s possible Buckner is primed for a season that will make the uninitiated take notice. The presence of Ford and Bosa on the edge promises to lighten the constant double-teaming of Buckner inside. Last year, Buckner ranked 14th in the NFL in sacks when the 49ers’ top edge rusher was journeyman Cassius Marsh, who was waived by the Seahawks last week.

“With (Bosa and Ford) coming off the edge and making the quarterback step up” in the pocket, Buckner said. “… You saw glimpses of it in OTAs and training camp. When they were healthy, it’s very exciting to see. It gets everybody riled up when you have everyone on the line that can win their one-on-ones. It’s going to be hard to pick and choose who to double.”

Even if the outside recognition doesn’t come, Buckner appreciates that he’s valued by his teammates and employer.

Last year, Buckner was voted a team captain and received the Len Eshmont award, the most prestigious team honor that’s given to the player who best exemplifies inspiration and courage. The past two seasons, he’s also won the Hazeltine Iron Man award, which recognizes similar qualities.

Last year, left tackle Joe Staley, the team’s longest-tenured player, compared Buckner to future Hall of Fame running back Frank Gore, whom Staley called his favorite teammate in his 13-year career.

Buckner “has the same type of hunger and desire to get better that I saw with Frank,” Staley said.

Said Buckner: “I play for the 49ers, and I feel I’ve got a respect from people around this building and organization, especially from my teammates. That’s my main thing. Having that respect from them, it makes me feel my play is paying off.”

And Buckner’s play will soon get him paid. He became eligible for a contract extension after last season, although he’s suggested nothing is imminent on that front. This week, he noticed two members of his draft class — Rams quarterback Jared Goff and Cowboys running Ezekiel Elliott — signed massive deals.

Would a mega-contract put some respect on his name?

“Having the respect here in the organization, hopefully that will come into effect when we’re negotiating my contract,” Buckner said. “Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what anyone else in the NFL thinks. It’s just what the Niners think about me.”

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch