Chicago Bears 2016 First Round Draft Projections

November 14, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) runs the football against Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

DE Deforest Buckner- Oregon

When the Bears took Pernell McPhee off of the Ravens hands it was a pleasant surprise. He has not disappointed the defense one bit and has taken the leadership of a once weak defense to new heights. But McPhee needs a mirror of himself on the opposite side to create havoc for quarterbacks.  Oregon’s Deforest Buckner fits the bill. He carries 290 pounds on broad shoulders with nothing but pure muscle in the middle. That makes him a great impact off the edge.

Buckner is quick like a pass rusher, but his power comes from behind his bull rush ability, which is what makes him a top pick. He can tackle a player right off their feet and uses his long arms to wrap around receivers as they try to elude him. He is perfect for Fangio’s 3-4 hybrid defense as he can force ballcarriers to cut back on the inside. Standing at 6-7″, Buckner is shockingly agile and can burst to split gaps. He can drop coverage with ease on zone blitzes and reads plays with confidence. His height will be helpful upfront to bat down balls or intercept one for that matter.  He would be worth the pick.

Next: Left Tackle Needs a Boost