The San Francisco 49ers have added one of the best defensive prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft after taking former Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner with the No. 7 overall pick.
DeForest Buckner drafted by 49ers at No. 7 overall
Buckner was the top-rated interior lineman in the nation last year, according to Pro Football Focus.
Buckner, the 2015 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, improved his production each season in Eugene and took his game to another level as a senior last year. He finished with a conference-best 10.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 83 total tackles and five passes defended.
He was arguably the most disruptive defensive player in college football last year despite seeing constant double- and triple-teams in nearly every contest. Buckner graded out as Pro Football Focus’ top interior lineman in the nation, receiving the highest pass rush grade and the eighth-highest run defense grade. His durability and stamina were also exceptional as he led all interior defensive lineman with 951 snaps played.
Buckner’s pass rushing skills are his biggest strength -- his 67 total defensive pressures in 2015 were nine more than any other up-the-middle defender -- but he also dominated in the run game, too. He made 36 stops against the run last season, which was fourth among all 3-4 defensive ends, and his run stop percentage ranked fifth, per Pro Football Focus.
At 6’7, 291 pounds, Buckner has the prototypical build of a classic 3-4 defensive end with plus athleticism and exceptional strength. He also brings a ton of scheme versatility, having lined up inside and outside in Oregon’s multiple fronts, and is best used as a movable weapon across the defensive line.
With a powerful bull rush and flexible upper body, he physically dominates blockers and creates pressure at the point of attack. Buckner has the length, speed and power to take guys head on and use his brute force to blow by them at the line of scrimmage.
His skill set and technique, however, are far from refined. He can get overwhelmed by double-teams and moved off his spot, and can sometimes get knocked out of position on redirect blocks. At times he also has struggled to convert his pressures into takedowns, lacking the burst to close the distance between himself and the quarterback after beating his blocker.
Despite those flaws, Buckner remains a top-10 talent. He has the game-changing ability to make an instant impact and provide an immediate upgrade on defense. While he still has things to work on, he probably has the most upside of any defensive lineman in the draft and has the potential to be a game-changing defensive force for many years to come in the NFL.
The 49ers are starting a new era with Chip Kelly as their head coach. Notably, Buckner was coached by Kelly at Oregon and was the consensus pick for the 49ers in the pre-draft process. The team signed Ian Williams and Quinton Dial to contract extensions this offseason, and selected Arik Armstead, a fellow defensive lineman and teammate of Buckner’s at Oregon, last year. Buckner should flourish next to his old teammate.
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