Throughout the month of April, we ran down the list of top players in the 2016 NFL Draft with our "Meet the Prospect" series.
As it turned out, the San Francisco 49ers used the No. 7 overall pick on one of the players we featured. Read this post to learn more about the newest Niner, Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.
First Glance
Buckner is a physical freak of a specimen with massive power and a wingspan to rival a jetliner.
If that scouting report sounds familiar at all – it's because it should. Buckner hails from Oregon, where he played alongside fellow behemoth and current 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead.
The two are close friends and many draft experts have predicted a reunion in San Francisco. At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, Buckner was asked about potentially joining forces with Armstead again under Chip Kelly – another Oregon product.
"We talk about it all the time," Buckner said. "Just taking the lead together it would be a crazy experience, being able to play with him again and having our old coaching staff."
Buckner was the 2015 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after recording 10.5 sacks, five pass breakups and 83 tackles – 17 of which went for losses.
Measurables
Height: 6-7
Weight: 291
Arm length: 34 3/8 inches
Hand Size: 11 3/4 inches
NFL.com Pro Comparison
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell
Best College Game
In a game no doubt watched by many NFL scouts, Buckner amassed a career-best 10 tackles in Oregon's 38-36, upset victory over then-No. 7 Stanford last fall. Buckner also had a tackle for loss and half of a sack. This all coming against one of the most formidable and NFL-talent producing offensive lines in the country.
Combine Statistics
40-yard dash: 5.05 seconds
Bench press: 21 reps (at Pro Day)
Vertical jump: 32.0 inches
Broad jump: 116.0 inches
3 cone drill: 7.51 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.47 seconds
Mock Draft Connections
NFL Media's Charles Davis – No. 3 overall pick (San Diego Chargers)
ESPN's Todd McShay – No. 3 overall pick (San Diego Chargers)
NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah – No. 6 overall pick (Baltimore Ravens)
What the Media is Saying…
"Buckner plays with explosive movements and terrific body control for his size, flashing heavy hands and initial power to be a disruptive force, although he's still learning how to use his hands and string together rush moves. Buckner showed steady improvement at Oregon and became more of a consistent playmaker as a senior - perhaps Stanford head coach David Shaw described Buckner best when he said: "If you're building a defensive lineman, that's what you build." – CBS Sports' Dane Brugler
"Buckner has the body type of a classic 3-4 defensive end who can control the point of attack with length and power, but he has above average pass rush potential for that position which figures to push him into the early stages of round one. Buckner has similar power to former teammate Arik Armstead, but is a much better pass rusher and has a chance to become a dominant force in the NFL." – NFL.com's Lance Zierlein
Fun Fact
Buckner's 11 3/4-inch hands tied for the largest measurement in combine history. For a reference point, a standard sheet of paper is also 11 3/4 inches in height. His hands are *that *big. Two-time reigning NFL Defensive MVP J.J. Watt's hands are 11 1/8 inches.
Must-see Video
.@WinTheDay's @DeForestBuckner is ready to shmoney dance over an NFL quarterback near you.#NFLDrafthttps://t.co/WYa3KJ887M — Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 10, 2016
Social Spotlight
It appears as if Buckner and Armstead were roomates at Oregon. Neither seem to enjoy the company of snakes very much.
