According to this year’s The NFL’s Top 100, Indianapolis Colts All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is the #56th best player in the league per the NFL players who voted—making his career debut:
We’re just glad he’s on our team now.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 28, 2020
#NFLTop100 | July 26-29 on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/2D3tDFJs8k
Acquired earlier this offseason for the 13th overall pick, Buckner is a superstar at defensive tackle, who’s just entering his prime and should be a mainstay for years to come anchoring the interior of the Colts defensive line.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard has said “the three-technique drives this thing” regarding his built defense, and Buckner is one of the best in the business.
At a listed 6’7”, 295 pounds, the former 7th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft has freakishly long arms (34 3/8”), athleticism, and strength—as well as a devastating swim move.
With 19.5 combined sacks over the past two seasons for the NFC Champion 49ers defense, he should provide the Colts a much needed interior pass rusher—but remains a complete defensive tackle against the run as well.
For a Colts franchise that has lacked a truly elite defensive tackle in recent memory, Buckner’s a great player—and big acquisition.