Despite the restrictions amid the coronavirus breakout, the Indianapolis Colts officially announced the trade that included the acquisition of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the San Francisco 49ers.
Shortly after the deal was made official, Buckner spoke with the Colts media for the first time Wednesday. Playing at a massive position of need for Indy, Buckner isn’t lacking any confidence and feels the Colts traded for one of the best three-technique defensive tackles in the entire league.
“I mean, obviously they’re looking for a three-technique and I think I’m one of the best in the league. I can stop the run, rush the passer, obviously I’m taller but I play with leverage. I have a lot power,” Buckner told reporters. “My length obviously helps me a lot with trucking down whether it’s a running back or a quarterback on the run and obviously if I can’t get to the quarterback then trying to disrupt the passing lanes with my length. Just little things like that.”
Buckner says he will be playing the three-technique, which is what he almost exclusively played during his time with the 49ers—the team that drafted him No. 7 overall in 2016.
Even so, his size and power could also make him a fit at the one-technique for the Colts. Regardless, he’s likely to spend time at both positions but the Colts might feel they can get the most out of him by lining him up in the B-gap to get more production as a pass rusher.
The Colts only got 6.5 sacks from their defensive tackles in 2019. Buckner has made his living on harassing quarterbacks to the tune of 28.5 sacks in four seasons with 19.5 coming in the last two campaigns.
This move will have a ripple effect for years to come, but the Colts believe—and Buckner believes—he’s one of the best in the league at his position.
