49ers’ DeForest Buckner primed for a breakout season in 2017
By Robert Smith
DeForest Buckner’s rookie season was a beacon of light in an otherwise dark and forgettable year for the San Francisco 49ers. With a year in the league under his belt and some much-needed additions to the defense, Buckner is poised to have a big year in 2017.
In the early part of 2016, the San Francisco 49ers’ first-round pick, DeForest Buckner, was not unlike most rookies coming into the NFL.
He struggled, plain and simple. His inability to clog running lanes was a major weakness as he, and the 49ers, struggled in run defense.
Yet as the season progressed, Buckner began to find his way. Not only did he find his way to opposing QBs en route to six sacks, he also improved by leaps and bounds in run support.
San Francisco 49ers
He finished the season with 73 tackles to go along with those six sacks while playing 941 snaps.
Unfortunately, the rest of the defense continued to struggle mightily, finishing last in points, yards allowed and rushing yards allowed per game.
However, general manager John Lynch made significant strides in upgrading the talent, not only along the defensive line, but in the linebacker corps and secondary as well.
Lynch drafted Stanford’s Solomon Thomas to group with Buckner, Arik Armstead, Quinton Dial, Ahmad Brooks and Aaron Lynch along the defensive front. Lynch later added D.J. Jones and Pita Taumoepenu in the latter rounds of the draft and brought in free agents, Earl Mitchell and Elvis Dumervil, to give a young defense some productive veteran leadership and depth.
With these reinforcements, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s new hybrid 4-3 defense should allow Buckner more rest throughout the game, keeping him fresh late into the fourth quarter to impose his will against opposing offensive lines.
Thomas’ versatility will draw attention, should he line up on the outside or in the middle of the line. This should free up Buckner to see one-on-one matchups that will give him an opportunity to use his speed and strength to pressure the quarterback.
Buckner will be capable of using a 4 or 5 technique to hold the point of attack, while still being aggressive in pass-rush situations. His sack total should increase with the talent added to the defense and a scheme that will allow him to move around along the front, confusing offenses as to where exactly he will be attacking or lining up.
The 49ers’ success in 2017 will be predicated on how quickly this defense can jell and the jump last season’s rookies make heading into their second year in the league.
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And by all accounts, DeForest Buckner will be leading the way for a resurgent 49er defense.