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2016 NFL Draft: Good Picks vs. Bad Picks for the San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

Sep 6, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter in a game against the Sacramento State Hornets at Memorial Stadium. California won 55-14. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter in a game against the Sacramento State Hornets at Memorial Stadium. California won 55-14. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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 /

Good Fit: Defensive End DeForest Buckner, Oregon

Collegiate Statistics

The 49ers already seem to be poised for a huge return on investment after taking defensive end Arik Armstead in Round 1 of the NFL Draft last season.

And what if you were told Armstead’s former teammate at Oregon, defensive end DeForest Buckner, had an even higher ceiling than San Francisco’s 2015 first-round investment?

Well, that’s exactly what CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler wrote in an assessment of Buckner last February:

"He should get even better with NFL coaching and has potential to be a long-term pro starter, projecting better than his former teammate Arik Armstead (17th overall pick to the 49ers in the 2015 NFL Draft)."

Buckner separates himself from Armstead in that the former possesses a nice pass-rushing skill set. Buckner had 18 sacks — 10.5 last season — and 36 tackles for a loss over four years with the Ducks. While Armstead is more of a pocket-wrecking force, Buckner adds the same ability on top of his quarterback pursuit.

It’s a need the 49ers can’t overlook either. With nose tackle Ian Williams’ ankle a concern, which relegated a long-term contract renegotiation into a one-year deal, the 49ers would be wise to add a player of Buckner’s stature to reinforce the defensive line.

Armstead, Buckner and Quinton Dial at the nose would be a formidable line and one with which the 49ers could, once again, regain some defensive prowess.

Next: Bad Fit: LB Myles Jack