PFF scouting report: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon

Here is the PFF draft profile for Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF's 2016 scouting reports, click here. 

Position rank: 1
Overall rank: 2

Position fit:

3-4 defensive end. Could do some work on the edge as a pass rusher, but ideal 3-4 end.

Stats to know:

No. 1 overall grade among interior defensive linemen, top pass rushing grade and eighth-highest grade against the run. Led all interior defensive linemen with 951 snaps, including two separate games in which he played over 100 snaps.

What he does best:

• Can get low and move blockers in the run game
• Strong when taking blockers on head up and moving them backwards to clog running lanes
• Has good vision as a run defender, finds the ball
• Big tackle radius allows Buckner to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage
• Makes plays on the backside of run plays. Quick enough to beat backside cutoffs against zone schemes, can penetrate and blow up plays when given favorable shade
• Quick hands allow him to create pressure against guards
• Can use length to bull rush defensive linemen and push pocket. Reminds of Chandler Jones a bit from style standpoint, even though they are different sizes
• Maintained his national-leading production despite playing the most snaps of any interior defensive lineman
• Good size allows him to bat passes at line of scrimmage. Tied for third in nation with five in 2015.

Biggest concern:

• Does not anchor well against double teams. Power teams can create movement at the point of attack
• Part of his inability to anchor is due to size, will play with high pad level at times and get moved off the spot
• Can run right at him

Player comparison:

Arizona defensive end Calais Campbell. From both a production and style perspective, Buckner and Campbell both win in similar ways, with the only difference being that Campbell looks stouter against double teams in the run game. It would not be surprising to see similar production from Buckner throughout his career.

Bottom line:

Buckner’s two-year production is tough to ignore. He can be a playmaker in the run game and as a pass rusher, most likely in a 3-4 scheme, but he can move around the formation to provide some versatility.