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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Reasons for Hope in 2016

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-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 /

No. 2: Former Oregon Ducks DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead

The San Francisco 49ers could start calling themselves the “San Francisco Ducks” if they really wanted to.

Factor in former UofO head coach Chip Kelly in town, along with back-to-back first-round draft picks DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead, also out of Eugene, and the Niners are tabbing their inner-Pac-12.

OK, enough with the connections. Buckner and Armstead will bookend what looks to be a very potent defensive line for the 49ers this year. At 6-foot-7, both players are tall and intimidating specimen, who can wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines.

Just take a look at the following breakdown and film clip if you have doubts:

“I feel like in college, we complimented each other very well,” Armstead said of his time in Oregon with Buckner, via Marc Sessler of NFL.com. “You couldn’t focus on either one of us because you had either me or him on the other side. We have big plans playing together, trying to dominate people.”

Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko went into further detail, and he even tied in how this tandem could benefit All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman:

"NaVorro Bowman struggled in his first season back after a devastating knee injury in the 2014 NFC Championship game, but if he can get back to his pre-injury levels, the 49ers front-seven will improve greatly because of it. If Buckner performs like the DE we expect him to be, Armstead continues to develop, and Bowman returns to form, San Francisco should see defensive performances closer to the Jim Harbaugh-coached days."

In spite of all the questions surrounding San Francisco’s defense, the front seven may actually be pretty good this year. It may not be great — there are more than a few questions surrounding the pass rush — but this group probably won’t be a major weakness this season.

Next: The Chip Kelly Factor