Did 49ers hit or reach on their last 6 top-10 NFL Draft picks?

49ers 2016 top-10 NFL Draft pick: DeForest Buckner

No. 7 overall

The 2016 NFL Draft was the result of the first and last season under Jim Tomsula. The 49ers finished the 2015 season with a 5-11 record and ended up with the seventh overall pick in the draft.

The Niners would go with another Oregon player, selecting defensive lineman DeForest Buckner at No. 7 after taking his college teammate Arik Armstead the previous season in the first round.

Buckner played at defensive end his rookie season and had decent numbers, recording six sacks and two fumble recoveries while appearing in 15 games. He would be named to the 2016 NFL All-Rookie Team.

In 2017, the first in the regime of head coach Kyle Shanahan, Buckner was moved to defensive tackle. Although his sack numbers dropped, he looked more natural on the interior of the defensive line. In 2018, though, Buckner had his breakout season, recording 12 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss, prompting him to earn a Pro Bowl selection for that performance.

2019 would also be a successful season for Buckner, too, although he wouldn’t be the sack leader for the team, rather it would be due to Armstead’s breakout season and Bosa’s emergence as a top rookie edge rusher.

Prior to the 2020 NFL Draft, though, Buckner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick rather than getting a max contract. He would continue to be a top defensive lineman in the league earning an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, respectively, over his next two seasons.

Looking back, Buckner was a great pick at No. 7. He was one of the best defensive linemen drafted in 2016 and remains the only defensive lineman from that draft class to be awarded an All-Pro selection.

Hit or Reach: Hit