Niner Noise
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2016 NFL Draft: Round 1 Big Board for the San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; California quarterback Jared Goff speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; California quarterback Jared Goff speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 2, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) walks onto the field at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) walks onto the field at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive End DeForest Buckner, Oregon

Statistics

If CBS Sports is right, linebacker Myles Jack will likely be off the boards by the time San Francisco selects at No.  7 overall. And, if quarterback Jared Goff is gone as well, the 49ers should still look to reinforce the defensive side of the ball.

And they should do so with Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner.

Buckner was a teammate with current 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead and is certainly a more refined player than the Niners’ first-round selection from a year ago.

Niner Noise staff writer Rob Lowder made the case for Buckner being San Francisco’s best first-round option:

"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."

Yes, the 49ers pass rush was abysmal in 2015 and boasted just 28 quarterback takedowns on the year. Buckner would help that, as his 10.5 sacks last season would suggest. But he would also be a pocket-wrecking force — similar to what fans saw out of Armstead during the latter half of last year.

Getting stronger along the defensive line will be a solid move from San Francisco. And it could come as early as Round 1 should the team tab Buckner.

Next: Option 4: OT Ronnie Stanley