Dec 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end DeForest Buckner (44) celebrates after a sack in the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 Championship at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

49ers must spend, but wisely in Free Agency: 3 tips on how

49ers must spend, but wisely in Free Agency: 3 tips on how by Douglas Totten

With the 2016 NFL Draft quickly approaching, the San Francisco 49ers are making the final adjustments to their big board. Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner should be at the very top of that list.

Defense wins championships.

Although cliché, this expression has never been more true. Two out of the past three Super Bowl champions have done so with stifling defenses.

Both the 2013 Seattle Seahawks and 2015 Denver Broncos had defensive units that stood among the best of all time, and while the 2014 New England Patriots defense was not on the same level, the game winning play was made on defense.

This year’s champions, the Denver Broncos, ranked atop the NFL in total defense, yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and were the leaders or within the top five in nearly every conceivable statistic.

While the Broncos have impact players on every level of defense, their success begins with their front seven and its ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Carolina QB Cam Newton’s dynamic ability was shut down by consistent pressure from both the outside linebackers, as well as the interior defensive lineman.

Denver pass rushing specialist Von Miller’s MVP performance stole the show, and rightfully so, but it also overshadowed pivotal work by defensive tackles Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe. Their effectiveness in the trenches not only created pressure and helped to collapse the pocket, but it also occupied blockers and freed up pass rushers Miller and Ware to wreak havoc on Carolina’s Super Bowl hopes.

After losing several key pieces, the 49ers defense is looking to rebuild and recapture the same fear that Denver struck into opposing offenses last season, and that the 49ers defense was once renown for.

In order to do this, the 49ers need to establish a defensive line capable of not only stopping the run, but producing routine pressure that disrupts an offenses attempt to find rhythm and establish a passing game.

Enter DeForest Buckner.

At a towering 6 foot 8 inches tall, the former Oregon defensive lineman commands attention in every respect.

Few collegiate defensive players saw more double and triple teams than Buckner, as seen below:

Deforest Buckner gets triple-teamed, gives up zero ground and still makes the tackle. #49ers pic.twitter.com/90fHNIV7RC — CenCal Faithful (@CenCalFaithful) March 5, 2016



Despite the attention, Buckner still tallied 83 tackles, 13 sacks and 17 tackles for loss during his final season at Oregon.

Buckner possesses ideal traits, with a tall frame that is capable of adding more bulk than what he already carries. His tremendous wingspan and hand ability allows him to dictate when he makes contact with offensive lineman, and when he does, shows a dominant ability to control leverage and positioning.

Buckner’s power and length allow him to shed blocks quickly, and coupled with surprisingly fluid lower body and footwork, demonstrates the ability to routinely create space, set the edge, and pursue the ball carrier.

Despite his height, which can be seen as a disadvantage for a player in his position, Buckner plays low and with good bend, making it difficult for a defender to attack his chest or gain leverage. This type of dominance was on full display against Washington in DraftBreakdown‘s video:



In addition to his physical traits, Buckner possesses the type of personality that should appeal to a 49ers franchise that has found itself in the wrong type of spotlight as of late.

Dane Brugler of CBS Sports highlights Buckner’s demeanor, “Quiet, reserved personality off the field, but warrior mentality on the field, giving full-go whenever he steps on the field.”

In the interest of fairness, Bucker is not without weakness.

His pass rushing ability is relatively limited and he relies upon a bull rush more often than not. If his first move fails, he struggles to regain his momentum and lacks any sequence or counters.



“If you’re building a defensive lineman, that is what you build.” – Standard head coach David Shaw

Buckner also has a tendency to be late at the snap, making it difficult for him to gain the leverage needed to make the stops during short yardage situations.

These weaknesses do very little to outweigh Buckner’s strengths, and having played 3-4 defensive end in Oregon’s defense, he presents an ideal fit for the 49ers defense.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect behind the possibility of drafting Buckner would be pairing him with his former teammate and 2015 first round selection, defensive end Arik Armstead.

Use your imagination to envision yourself as an NFL offensive lineman, breaking the huddle and jogging up to a football that was in the shadow of two, 6’8”, 300 pound defensive ends that are near clones of one another.

An intimidating prospect.

This sort of affect is what a 49ers defense ranking 29th in sacks desperately needs.

Whether creating the pressure directly or tying up double teams for the outside linebackers to exploit, Buckner offers the 49ers another essential piece of the puzzle to creating a dominant, suffocating defense like the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Buckner showcases the versatility, explosion, body control and power to be a force at the next level and will only improve underneath the benefits of NFL coaching.

The above should convince you that he is worthy of being at the very top of the 49ers draft board, but perhaps it is best to leave it to Stanford head coach David Shaw when asked about DeForest Buckner:

“If you’re building a defensive lineman, that is what you build.”

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.