Niner Noise
FanSided

2016 49ers Mock NFL Draft With Compensatory Pick Selections

By Rich Madrid

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Round 1, Pick 7: DeForest Buckner, DL, OREGON

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 /

With the first pick, the 49ers should select USA Today First Team All-American and Pac-12 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the year defensive lineman DeForest Buckner out of Oregon.

I wrote about Buckner here a few months back. Successful teams build from the trenches out and make opposing teams’ quarterbacks uncomfortable while being able to protect their own from guys like Buckner. Buckner is the perfect fit for a team in a division with all-pro caliber quarterbacks.

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report characterized Buckner as a defensive end or defensive tackle that is “versatile enough to slide around the line and threaten the offense from multiple positions.”

Buckner would be another great addition to solidify a defensive line that will need to get stronger in the NFC West where every divisional game is decided in the trenches. Rob Lowder, also of Niner Noise, said simply that Buckner is “an intimidating prospect.”

His time under former Ducks head coach Chip Kelly, and then Mark Helfrich, gives Buckner the advantage of playing on a defense with high powered offense as he likely already knows what it takes to succeed at that tempo and will be used that game speed. Buckner has the tools and skills and would be a welcomed addition to a team in need of strengthening the front seven.

He is a defensive end who can control the point of attack with length and power, and his pass rushing ability vaults him to the top 10 of all draft picks. Buckner has similar power to former teammate Arik Armstead, but is a much better pass-rusher and has a chance to become a dominant force in the NFL.

Next: Round 2 Pick 37