7. DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
Continuing our run of players moving teams, DeForest Buckner has a new home of his own, after being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a first-round pick. After what some considered to be a down rookie season, calling into question the wisdom of drafting him seventh-overall, Buckner rounded into form his second year in the league. Last season, his fourth in the NFL, was another great year of play from him, as he showed the ability to both get after the passer and help against the run.
Buckner was a big part of the San Francisco 49ers’ defense and their run to the Super Bowl. He was a force as a pass rusher, stringing together 66 total quarterback pressures and 46 quarterback hurries, both career-high numbers. His sack totals were down from 2018, but it was his second-straight year of double-digit sacks with 11. Better still is his versatility. He saw the bulk of his snaps in the interior, with 305 at left defensive tackle and another 392 at right defensive tackle, but he also saw 46 at left defensive end and 159 at right defensive end. That allowed Robert Saleh to play with his matchups up front, and put opposing passers in some precarious situations.
Buckner notched a pair of sacks in the season’s final game, getting to Patrick Mahomes twice. It was his only multiple-sack game of the year, and if you want a glossary-style example of a swim move, watch what he does to the left guard on this play:
Even more impressive than the pass rushing move itself – which is what the kids call “teaching tape” – is the balance. Buckner loses his feet as he gets tangled up with the left tackle, but stays upright (while changing direction mind you) and gets to Mahomes for the sack.
His other sack that night was also a thing of beauty, coming from the other side of the line:
Obviously the Colts are going to expect big things from him, given his tape the past few seasons and the cost of acquiring him. But with his ability to collapse pockets from the inside, and his positional flexibility, the price is going to be worth it for Indianapolis.