The San Francisco 49ers will be represented in the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive year. The following players have been selected to represent the NFC squad in the NFL's annual all-star game, which will take place on January 27, 2019, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was selected as a starter while tight end George Kittle was selected as a reserve, the team announced via a press release on Tuesday. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, kicker Robbie Gould, and linebacker Mark Nzeocha were selected as alternates.
The selection process consists of votes from fans, players, and coaches, with each group accounting for one-third of the process.
Kyle Juszczyk
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk is in his second season with the 49ers. He remains among the best at a position that appears to be vanishing in the NFL. The versatile Juszczyk, who is a fantastic run blocker, also has 21 rushing yards on six carries this season to go along with his 29 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown.
Juszczyk is in his sixth NFL season. He is Pro Football Focus' highest graded fullback.
This is Juszczyk's third-consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl and second straight with the 49ers.
George Kittle
George Kittle broke the franchise record this season for receiving yards by a tight end. He currently has 72 receptions for 1,154 yards with four touchdowns and has two more games to add to those totals.
Kittle's 210-yard, Week 14 performance against the Denver Broncos ranks No. 3 for receiving yards by a tight end in a single game. Only Shannon Sharpe (214 vs. Chiefs in 2002) and Jackie Smith (212 vs. Steelers in 1963) had more single-game yards.
Kittle, a fifth-round draft pick by the 49ers in 2017, is in his second NFL season. He is Pro Football Focus' third-highest graded tight end behind just O.J. Howard of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. Howard, of course, had his season cut short after foot and ankle injuries landed him on injured reserve last month.
This is Kittle's first trip to the Pro Bowl.
DeForest Buckner (Alternate)
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has a career-high 11 sacks this season to go along with his 60 combined tackles and two passes defensed. He is the first 49ers player since 2012 to have 10-or-more sacks in a single season.
Buckner, the No. 7 overall pick in 2016, is in his third season with the 49ers and in the NFL. He has the third-most sacks and the sixth-most total pressures by an interior defender, according to Pro Football Focus.
Robbie Gould (Alternate)
Kicker Robbie Gould, a 14-year veteran, has made 29 of his 30 field goal attempts this season while converting 24 of his 26 extra-point attempts. The long-time Chicago Bear is in his second season with the 49ers.
Mark Nzeocha (Alternate)
Linebacker Mark Nzeocha has recorded 20 combined tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble this season. He has primarily been a special teams contributor for most of the season, and that's where he gets the (alternate) nod for the Pro Bowl. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the German native has a passionate following in his homeland, which has helped in the nomination process.