"It's really just finding that extra step when I get to the backfield. I've had too many 'almosts' and I'm really trying to find that extra step in my game," Buckner said. "I really think it's going to help me this year. I'm working on everything I can to work on that extra step so I can really finish those sacks.

"If I had that extra step, it could have been 19 sacks."

Over the last two seasons, Buckner has generated nine sacks, 88 total tackles, 33 quarterback hits, 66 stops and six passes defended. He earned the fourth-highest grade in PFF's top 10 sophomore standouts of the 2017 season. He was also ranked fifth among interior defenders with 53 total pressures.

As a whole, the 49ers struggled to get to the quarterback last season, finishing 26th in the league with 30 sacks. This offseason, they re-signed Cassius Marsh and added free agent Jeremiah Attouchou to compete as edge rushers. San Francisco could potentially add another pass rusher in the 2018 NFL Draft.

"We have the guys and tools to do it right now. If they want to go out and get guys to help the team, it's a benefit. Right now I think we have the pieces to do it. We just have to be more consistent," Buckner added. "Everybody's still going to have a lot of juice and be ready to go and get the season started."