What happened: DeForest Buckner, who sits at 4.0 sacks on the 2026 campaign, and Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons stand as the only two defenders league-wide with at least three sacks and three batted passes this season, per PFF. Both interior linemen have paired quarterback takedowns with passing-lane disruption at the line of scrimmage.

Why it matters: San Francisco acquired the 32-year-old Buckner from the 2-5 Colts for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick while taking on $7.944 million remaining on his contract to bolster a defense ranked 24th in NFL pressure rate. Simmons remains the centerpiece of Tennessee's front under his contract extension after the franchise drafted him 19th overall out of Mississippi State in 2019.

What to watch: Buckner transitions into the 49ers' defensive rotation following the trade from Indianapolis, while Simmons continues anchoring the Titans' interior pass rush through the 2026 regular season.