DeForest Buckner is perfect for the Baltimore Ravens
By John Laird
The Baltimore Ravens currently hold the sixth overall selection in the up coming NFL draft. After a down year, Ozzie Newsome will be looking to add pieces to help regain their old form prior to 2015. They want to draft an elite talent that high in the draft, which is where Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner comes in.
The Ravens are looking to reload their defense, and DeForest Buckner will help take the front seven to another level. Drawing comparisons to Calais Campbell due to his freakish height (6’7″) and athletic ability, the former Oregon star plays with a relentless effort, generating an insane total of 163 tackles over the past two seasons.
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Buckner exceeds as a bull rusher, mainly generating more pressure by pushing the guard onto the quarterback’s lap. He has long arms that help him get pass deflections and allow him to get his hands inside on the offensive lineman quicker, allowing him to dictate where the block is going, which will put him in position to create consistent penetration and make plays in the backfield.
The 2015 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year would be playing next to nose tackle Brandon Williams, one of the best in the game. Williams constantly requires two blockers, allowing Buckner to physically handle his lone blocker on run plays. His dominant presence inside will allow edge rushers Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs to take advantage of having less attention directed towards them.
With Bucker and Williams manning half of the front line, it will also free up Pro Bowl linebacker CJ Mosley to make more plays.
Depth at the defensive line is important, look at the Carolina Panthers. Having a rotation with nothing but high caliber players with fresh legs can get you far in the NFL. Adding Buckner to go along with Williams, Timmy Jernigan, Lawrence Guy, and Brent Urban gives the Ravens a nice group of young, talented interior lineman.
Just like with any prospect, Buckner has at least one noticeable flaw. He is sometimes caught standing up right after the ball is snapped, limiting his ability to control blocks that allow him to maintain the gap he is responsible for. The Hawaii native showed over the course of his college career that he constantly gets better. He should improve in this area more and more as the games pile up.
In a division where every game is a physical battle, getting a big, aggressive, gritty football player controlling the front line with one of the best nose tackles, can spell havoc for opposing offensive lines.
Counting out Buckner because of fellow Oregon product Dion Jordan’s struggles would be foolish. Buckner has more of an NFL ready body, with strong powerful hands along with a relentless mind set that sets him up for success a lot better then Jordan. Buckner can also flip his shoulders and hips a lot better then Jordan, a viable skill needed for every defensive lineman.
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If you look back at the success of the Baltimore Ravens, they pride themselves on defense. Getting their defense back to that high, dominate level can help prove that the 2015 season was a fluke. DeForest Buckner can come in and instantly help the whole defense. Eating blocks, creating consistent penetration, and freeing up other rushers/linebackers can only help a defense with young, talented players succeed.