Don’t Forget About DeForest Buckner as an IDP Asset
Few things were as gawked at in 2019 as the 49ers defense. After finishing with seven takeaways in 2018 (an NFL record low), the team turned it around with 27 takeaways in 2019. Analytical sites such as Football Outsiders highly favored them, and a spectacular 48 sacks meant for an incredible turnaround for a defense that lacked all kinds of production the season prior.
The secondary played much improved, but the heart of the defense came in its pass rush. The acquisitions of Nick Bosa and Dee Ford next to Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner made for a pass rush that had all kinds of high caliber talent upfront. Players like Bosa, Armstead, Fred Warner, and Richard Sherman received much of the attention for the defense’s success, but one (somewhat) overlooked player on that unit happened to be Buckner.
A first-round pick in 2016, the defensive tackle has been a fan favorite and broke out in 2018 with 12.0 sacks, 17 TFLs, and 20 QB hits on his way to his first Pro Bowl appearance. Buckner’s performance in 2019 didn’t feature the same statistical output, but was still very successful as he put up 33 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, nine TFLs, and 14 QB hits. Despite missing the Pro Bowl this time around, he was selected to the Associated Press’ All-Pro Team, being selected to Second Team for DT.
Surprisingly, Buckner actually finished ninth in fantasy points among all defensive linemen according to FantasyData (119.7), just one spot below Nick Bosa. He also finished 48th among all defenders. On one hand, FantasyData had Buckner with 12 TFLs while Pro Football Reference gave him nine TFLs, so some of the data appeared to have been lost in translation.
Buckner was entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2020 before a surprise trade sent him to the Colts. He’s arguably a top-five interior pass rusher in the league, and those guys usually get paid to stay with their respective franchises (just ask guys like Aaron Donald and Grady Jarrett, for instance). Therefore, you can imagine the kind of player Indianapolis is getting.
For the moment, however, let’s take a look at why the now 26-year-old defensive tackle is a worthy piece to any IDP league.
As evident by his many TFLs, Buckner really shows up against the run. One major aspect is probably his most recognizable physical trait: his arms are huge. Buckner’s robot-like arms allow him to stretch and make more of an effort to break through an offensive line’s gaps, and that makes it all the much better when it enhances his athleticism.
Buckner uses his long arms here to break through the A-gap on an inside zone blocking play. It’s all too easy for him to get to Todd Gurley with his swift burst off the line of scrimmage, and as a result, the play loses a few yards.
This is among the best TFLs from Buckner’s 2019 season. It’s a simple but highly effective play on his part, and it starts by immediately recognizing that the play is a designed dump off to Latavis Murray in the left flat. Instead of selling out for Drew Brees, Buckner stays put and surveys Murray. With the great read, he’s able to bring down the running back and destroy the play immediately.
Flawless execution from #99.
One benefit Buckner had with the 49ers was a talented core around him. We know about some of the bigger names on the 49ers defense such as Bosa and Warner, and the combined talent made the overall unit a nightmare for certain teams.
Buckner makes a great move here to free himself up in the A-gap, but it’s even more of a cakewalk thanks to Bosa winning his pass rush and Warner getting free on a stunt blitz. All three players meet Mason Rudolph head-on (no, not THAT head on…), and he’s forced to just loft this pass in the area of his receiver as it falls to the ground.
Beyond the excellent players around him, it’s Buckner’s individual efforts that really explain why he’s such a valuable IDP asset.
Buckner had an excellent postseason, with 2.5 sacks, two TFLs, and four QB hits in three games played. This was really where he showed off his explosive capabilities as a pass rusher, and on this snap, he lets Kirk Cousins and the Vikings experience that firsthand.
Buckner’s two-step attack here is a ferocious swim move over left guard Pat Elflein. It’s so sudden for the guard, expecting a power rush, that Buckner is able to get by in a flash. He wraps Cousins up with his tentacle arms for his first sack of the postseason.
Though he ended up on the losing side, Buckner ended up playing even better in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs. It was here where he terrorized Patrick Mahomes to the tune of 1.5 sacks and three QB hits, getting consistent pressure on the Super Bowl MVP.
Mahomes’ mobility and arm strength did just enough to salvage the game, but guys like Buckner did not make it easy. At first, it looks like #99 is contained by right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, but Buckner is able to viciously swipe away the guard’s hands, freeing himself up to come through the A-gap.
Center Austin Reiter does his best to try and stop Buckner, but to no avail. Mahomes is taken down and the DT is credited with a solo sack on the play.
DeForest Buckner is a special player in the interior. His long arms increase his athletic ability, and his quick burst off the line combined with an arsenal of counter, swim, and swipe techniques should make it easy not just for the Colts to see immediate benefits, but for him to be a great acquirement to any IDP team. Plenty of good defensive tackles exist in today’s game, but very few can say they can play at the kind of level Buckner brings. He’s just the kind of player you’d love to trade for, so the Colts got a great one in him.
Buckner may not be the kind of guy you’d draft as high as say Aaron Donald, but wait a couple more rounds and the price will be worth it and then some.
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