3 reasons why DeForest Buckner trade benefits 49ers
By Peter Panacy
In a shocking move, the San Francisco 49ers traded Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts. Yet there are some positives from moving this key player.
Well, the San Francisco 49ers defensive line just got a bit weaker before the official start of the 2020 NFL league new year.
On Monday, news broke the Niners were trading 2018 Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the No. 13 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, moving one of the leaders of San Francisco’s defense and arguably the most reliable player the team has had since head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch took over duties in 2017.
In some ways, it was a bit of a shock. Especially after the 49ers officially announced they’d re-signed one of their top pending free agents, defensive end Arik Armstead, to a lucrative five-year deal.
The move essentially means the Niners are going with Armstead, not Buckner.
It’s a tough blow for sure, particularly when considering just how valuable Buckner has been for the team since the 49ers drafted him in Round 1 back in the 2016 draft. Buckner was one of the locker room leaders, while also providing an anchor point from which the remaining cast of San Francisco defensive linemen could benefit.
Ultimately, however, it was going to be exceptionally difficult for the Niners to retain Buckner over the long run. Especially considering reports he had already turned down an initial offer to remain with the 49ers in the coming years.
Yet there are some positives for San Francisco moving on from Buckner, even though it’s hard to initially acknowledge he’ll be playing elsewhere this season.