DeForest Buckner climbing up prospect rankings

Oct 29, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Demario Richard (4) carries the ball as Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) pursues during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, USC Trojans star Leonard Williams was the best defensive line prospect and off the board first. Oregon Ducks defensive line prospect Arik Armstead, also picked in the first round was the third one off the board. All along NFL personnel people thought DeForest Buckner was better than Armstead but stayed in school.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlien said, “NFL personnel men I’ve spoken to believe that Buckner would have been drafted ahead of former teammate Arik Armstead if Buckner had come out. Regardless, Buckner’s explosiveness and athleticism represents today’s breed of hybrid-oriented defensive tackles.”

And now, with those same traits, he looks like the most dominant defensive lineman in college football. He just doesn’t get such credit as everyone looks in the direction of an overrated Joey Bosa. Bosa is a good prospect and will do well in the NFL but anyone put over Buckner, including Robert Nkemdiche of Mississippi, is overrated

The 6’7″, 290-pound Buckner’s rare blend of size, power and athleticism at his 3-4 end spot reminds me a lot of Williams. He was always a projected 1st-round draft pick but his play has him climbing up draft boards of late. He’s actually leapfrogged a few defensive line prospects in the process.

So far this season, Buckner has 44 tackles, 11 for a loss along with six sacks and four passes batted down. Bosa has 30 tackles, 11 for a loss with only three sacks and no passes batted down at the line of scrimmage. And not only has Buckner played against better competition to date but he takes more double and triple-teams from his 3-4 end position.

However, this season isn’t over and he can catch Bosa with more night like the one he had on Thursday. He had eight tackles, two for losses, and a sack before leaving the field in the third quarter with an apparent injury. Hopefully, whatever the apparent injury isn’t serious because Buckner is coming.

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