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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Early Predictions for 2016 Regular Season

By Trevor Irvine

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies fullback Myles Gaskin (9) is tackled by Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44), defensive lineman Alex Balducci (56) and linebacker Kaulana Apelu (39) during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies fullback Myles Gaskin (9) is tackled by Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44), defensive lineman Alex Balducci (56) and linebacker Kaulana Apelu (39) during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Rookie MVP: DeForest Buckner

Call me a homer, fine. But when you pick a defensive tackle at No. 7 overall, with his measurables (6’7″ and 300 pounds), what do you expect?

Buckner might not start right away, but he will be used heavily in the defensive line rotation. You would expect him to be starting at some point during the season. He is just a good football player.

Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko explains why the Niners drafted Buckner:

"The 49ers are looking to field an Oregon Ducks defensive line after drafting Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner in the first round in back-to-back years. Buckner was the No. 2 player on PFF’s drat board, so landing him with the No. 7-overall pick is tremendous value. Buckner is disruptive against the run and rushing the passer, sporting a best-in-class +43.8 pass-rush grade and the eighth-best run defense grade at +29.1."

Even with the defensive line being the strongest area of the squad prior to the draft, the addition of Buckner just makes it better. You can never have enough talent. Like the offensive line from 2011-2014, the defensive line was also a dominant unit until retirements and off-the-field indiscretions decimated the depth and talent.

Buckner is already showing his talent in the early portion of OTAs, per Bay Area News Group’s Cam Inman:

Most importantly, Buckner will add another dimension to the anemic Niners pass rush (28 total sacks in 2015). In his final season at Oregon, he had 10.5 sacks. If he can generate around 6-7 sacks in 2016, that is a win. Any more than this number is a bonus.

The team will hoping for contributions from fellow draft picks Will Redmond, Rashard Robinson and Ronald Blair. But the clear cut favorite for rookie MVP is Buckner. If he doesn’t win the award then something has to go very wrong.

Let’s hope this occurrence just doesn’t happen.

Next: Offensive Rookie MVP: Eric Rogers