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San Francisco 49ers: Twin Tower Defense

By Noah Goldstein

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi /
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The San Francisco 49ers made an addition to their defense that could soon be regarded as one of the best of the offseason.

With the seventh pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the team selected defensive lineman Deforest Buckner out of Oregon. Aside from Buckner’s special production during his collegiate career, the player is also gifted in size, listed at 6’7 and 300 pounds.

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For 49ers fans, this player description seems a little familiar; a standout Oregon defensive lineman that measures at 6’7 and 300 pounds. This is due in part to the organization’s first round selection in the previous draft, Arik Armstead. Armstead, now a one-year veteran in the NFL, is just as gifted as Buckner in size and is able to exhibit as much power and explosiveness along the defensive trench.

Some were not surprised that the 49ers have chosen to build around the two Oregon “skyscrapers” as the new San Francisco head coach, Chip Kelly, is a former Oregon head coach as well as having the reputation for picking up his former university players. Still, Kelly is trying to build his defensive line into something the NFL has yet to see.

Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) is defended by TCU Horned Frogs offensive tackle Halapoulivaati (74) and offensive tackle Matt Pryor (64) during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) is defended by TCU Horned Frogs offensive tackle Halapoulivaati (74) and offensive tackle Matt Pryor (64) during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

With San Francisco’s 3-4 defense, defensive coordinator Jim O’Neal has expressed the desire to routinely get after the opposing quarterback given the extreme lack of sacks that the 2015 unit displayed that ranked fourth worst in the league at 28. Building around Armstead and Buckner, the organization believes this will be no problem.

Both defensive lineman are not just huge, they are both extremely versatile. Either of the two players can play anywhere along the defensive line and still wreak havoc. Look for them to often book end the defensive line with either Ian Williams or Quinton Dial to front the nose tackle position.

Given the extraordinary length that Armstead and Buckner possess as well, the prospect is that the combination of the two will help plug up gaps in the run game. Another added bonus will be the more than likely heavy increase in pass deflections for the team, as opposing quarterbacks will have trouble finding creases to fit the ball between the lengthy linemen.

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The 49ers are looking to build from a dominant defensive front in hopes to see that this will spur the rest of the defense into playing well. As this type of size has not been combined along the defensive line before, it will be interesting to see if Chip Kelly’s former Oregon standouts can once again lead him to success.