DeForest Buckner, Defensive End, Oregon

Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 281
Year: Senior
Hometown: Waianae, HI
Experience: Sr. - 2 year starter

Measurables:

40yd dash: 5.05 Seconds
Broad jump: 116.0 Inch
Vertical: 32.0 Inch
3-cone: 7.51 Seconds
20yd. Shuttle: 4.47 Seconds
Bench Press: N/A

Career Notes:

DeForest Buckner was highly recruited out of Honolulu Punahou High School.  As a four-star defensive end, Buckner took an offer at Oregon and made an impact from day one.  Playing in each game his freshman year, including two starts, Buckner was a rotational player behind the likes of top draft picks Dion Jordan and Terron Armstead.  He contributed with 29 tackles, including a four-game stretch with an impressive 14.  4 were for a loss, and he added 1 sack.  He had more playing time in his sophomore season as he started the final 8 games.  With an expanded role, he registered 35 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. 

Finally in 2014, Buckner took control of the starting role and became one of the most dominant defensive forces in the Pac-12.  He registered an astounding 81 total tackles including 13 for a loss and added four sacks and pass deflections.  Oregon went on to finish 11-2 under coach Mark Helfrich capping it off with a decisive 30-7 victory over Texas in the Alamo Bowl.  Buckner's stellar play led to Second-team All-Pac-12 honors and a first round draft grade from most clubs.  In order to get his degree as he had promised his family, Buckner returned for his senior season.  All he did this past year was more than double his sack production and take home All-American, First-team All-Pac-12, and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors to become perhaps the top defensive line prospect in the nation. 

Oregon's defensive was rarely dominant throughout Buckner's tenure with the program, but he was not responsible for the leaky secondary and weak linebacking core.  Also, when your offense puts up points like Oregon's the defense is on the field a lot more than preferred.  That being said, Buckner is recognized for his incredible hustle and determination to reach the ball carrier even when gassed.  He was the vocal and physical leader that led by example on the field.   

Buckner's 10.5 sacks against double and triple-teams in his senior season showed great improvement in his pass rushing ability.  Combining this new strength with his power and determination in the run game has really created a polished, physical athlete along the defensive line.  Over 80 tackles in consecutive years from the 5 technique, 3-4 defensive end position, is incredibly impressive for any prospect.  Combine his production with his 6'7'' frame, and NFL teams will be drooling to draft Buckner and his incredible upside. 

Injury Report: 

Buckner has played through multiple injuries throughout his career, most notably a sprained wrist in a triple-OT win over Arizona State in late October.  Buckner remained in the game, hindered by the injury, but did not miss any game time afterwards. 

Career Stats:

For full breakdown of DeForest Buckner follow the link below:
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/deforest-buckner-1.html

Analysis:

Against the Run: 4.0/5.  It's very difficult to be second on the team in tackles from the 3-4 defensive end position.  Buckner has both the power to hold the line of scrimmage and the athletic ability to swim around offensive linemen for tackles in the backfield.  He led the Ducks in tackles for a loss this past season.  His long arms allow him to reach around linemen and he showed a knack for shedding blockers with one arm and tackling the ball carrier with the other.  Buckner loses gap responsibility when guessing which way the play is going.  Nevertheless, Buckner does not give up on plays, and he made many tackles downfield pursuing the ball carrier. 

Pass Rush: 3.5/5.0.  Prior to the 2015 season, Buckner had 7.5 career sacks in 3 years.  This past season he totaled 10.5 sacks, rushing with a variety of different tactics and from several spots along the defensive line.  His footwork really improved from his junior to senior year, but he still needs to improve his hand placement when rushing the passer.  If his initial move is taken away, Buckner has struggled to generate pressure on the quarterback.

Agility: 4.0/5.0. For a man his size, Buckner is one of the most fluid athletes on the field.  Standing at 6'7'', Buckner has a great base and has a unique ability to get underneath the shorter offensive linemen.  He carries his frame well enough to plug the gaps in a 3-4 defense as well as play a power defensive end in the 4-3.  Buckner runs well in pursuit of ball carriers and plays quick enough to halt long gains.  His lateral agility at the line of scrimmage allows him to step around blockers to make tackles for a loss and generate sacks.   

Impact Play Ability:4.0/5.0. Stanford head coach David Shaw had this to say about DeForest Buckner, "If you're building a defensive lineman, that's what you build".  Buckner constantly flows to the center of a play, using his long frame and great body control to reach the point of attack.  Every facet of Buckner's game allows him to impact a play.  From his hustle tackling ball carriers downfield, to his increased ability to rush the passer, to his 10 passes defended over the past 2 years, Buckner will find a way to disrupt the offense.   

Summary: DeForest Buckner has the ability to be a star in the NFL.  Whether he's drafted as a 4-3 player with the ability to play inside or out, or bulk up to play defensive end in the 3-4, the athletic ability and motor of Buckner will impact any franchise from day one.  He is a coachable prospect that has improved with each year.  Dominating the opposing rushing attack for several years, Buckner showed that he is disruptive enough to rush the passer despite seeing numerous double-teams and playing primarily from the 5-technique.  Buckner has the intelligence, athletic ability, and work effort needed to become a perennial prow-bowler in the years to come.  

Overall Grade: 4.0/5.0  

If drafted by the Packers:

As perhaps the top defensive lineman prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft, there is slim opportunity that he will be available at pick 27 for Green Bay.  That being said, Buckner looks to be one of the premier players in the draft, and a slide to the mid-first round could possibly cause Ted Thompson to move up in the draft.  With Mike Daniels signed for the foreseeable future, one defensive end spot appears locked down.  On the other side, the combination of Datone Jones and Letroy Guion has been unspectacular to say the least.  Jones, the former first round draft choice, has not lived up to expectations and his contract is set to expire after the 2016 season.  Ted Thompson has a busy offseason where he needs to decide the futures of B.J. Raji, Mike Neal, and former first round pick Nick Perry who all play a variety of positions in Dom Capers hybrid defense. 

There is little doubt that Thompson will bring in talent among the front seven this offseason, be it through retaining his own players, utilizing free agency, or through the draft.  If the Packers want to continue to use Jones as a situational pass rusher on third downs, the huge, strong Buckner would be a wall on rushing downs.  If Jones continues to disappoint, Buckner would gladly become the three-down future of the left end position.  Whereas Jones has not been a very effective run stopper, Buckner excels at getting to the ball carrier.  From the 5-technique, Buckner's sheer size would clog running lanes which has been difficult for current players on the Packers' roster.  Mike Daniels is a phenomenal player but does not have ideal size for the 3-4.  Buckner would most certainly garner double teams, allowing Daniels and the Packers' linebacking core to affectively surround the ball carrier. 

Drafting Buckner would be improbable for Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers.  Infringing further draft picks to move up and draft a player that doesn't fill a top need for Green Bay is too risky.  Although Buckner's ceiling appears higher than the rest, there are plenty of defensive lineman the Packers could aim for with the 27th overall pick.  With Datone Jones signed one more year, the Packers' faith in 3rd-year defensive end Mike Pennel will likely decide the proper place to draft a defensive lineman.  Buckner translates best to defensive end, and the Packers will probably be targeting a nose tackle.  That being said, Buckner looks like a dominating player in the NFL, and a fall in the draft could impulse Ted Thompson to finally be bold and move up for an ultra-athletic top prospect. 

Film:

DE DeForest Buckner vs. Oregon State (2015):