It was a shocking move to see the Indianapolis Colts trade a first-round pick in order to acquire defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the San Francisco 49ers, but it wasn’t because Buckner isn’t worth that price.
The Colts seemingly came out of nowhere to make the deal just as free agency was opening in March. The excitement that Colts fans have for Buckner joining the defense can’t be contained.
But the 26-year-old feels he’s still being slept on in regards to his perception around the league.
“Yeah, man. That has been my entire career though. Every year I come in and play with a chip on my shoulder,” Buckner told reporters Friday. “Even if the recognition doesn’t count, I let my play speak for itself. I’ve put up the numbers the past couple of years. I mean I do believe I’m slept on. It’s all good. It just fuels a fire for me. It keeps me on my toes, it keeps me motivated to really get my name out there, prove myself in this league and honestly it’s only benefitted me.”
Buckner could be the piece the defense has been missing all along. There are major questions in the secondary, but adding a talent like Buckner was too good to pass up. The Colts believe in his talent so much that they immediately inked him to a four-year extension.
The Colts have a high-upside front seven entering the 2020 season. With Buckner at the three-technique, Justin Houston at defensive end and Darius Leonard leading the linebacker corps, there’s a lot to like about the unit.
Buckner has been a force from the interior since he entered the league in 2016, and he’s eager to prove himself worthy of national recognition as his tenure with the Colts begins
