49ers tipped to pick defensive monster DeForest Buckner in NFL draft

JARRYD Hayne is expected to be joined at San Francisco by a physical freak whose hands are larger than a sheet of paper.

THE 49ers are expected to select a defensive monster with dinner plate hands at this week’s NFL Draft after pre-draft moves by St Louis and Philadelphia severely dented their hopes of finding their quarterback of the future.

Cal’s Jared Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz are expected to go one and two to the Rams and Eagles leaving Niners GM Trent Baalke looking to solidify another position when he picks first at No. 7.

Several reports in recent days have linked San Francisco to Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, whose former teammate Arik Armstread was Baalke’s first selection in last year’s draft.

Buckner fills the same impressive measurements as Armstead at 201cm and 130kgs but it was his hand size that really blew away onlookers at the NFL combine.

The 22-year-old’s mitts are 29.8cm from thumb to pinky — larger than an A4 sheet of paper — and the biggest since draft prospects started having their hands measured in 2003.

“If you’re building a defensive lineman, that’s what you build,” Standford coach David Shaw said.

Buckner was named the Pac-12 Conference defensive player of the year in 2015 and tallied 30 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in his two seasons as a starter. He was also a leader on a Ducks team that went to the NCAA Championship game last year.

“Buckner is likely the most complete overall defender in his draft class, with both skill and physical components fitting together seamlessly,” Bleacher Report NFL analyst Sean Tomlinson said.

“He’s not just a pass-rusher or a run-stuffer. He’s whatever you want him to be. Or rather, he’s everything you want him to be.

“He can help to solve two problems with one pick. He’s the complete package and one of the best defenders in this draft. He’s also one of the best players in this draft. Period.”

So... DeForest Buckner's hand measured in larger than a sheet of paper & I didn't believe. Now, I def. believe it. pic.twitter.com/WG1mxDBFee

— FalconsKelsey (@FalconsKelsey) February 26, 2016

Hailing from Hawaii, Buckner could help shore up a defensive line in San Francisco that is unsure about the future of Ian Williams in the wake of his off-season ankle surgeries.

He certainly fits the mould of the type of player Baalke and new coach Chip Kelly have targeted historically. “Our philosophies on personnel match up very well,” Baalke said. “You look at the defence (Kelly) tried to build in Oregon with the … bigger-bodied, longer-armed guys. So a lot of the things that we’ve done here from a personnel standpoint, evaluation standpoint, fit very well into what he’s looking for as well in building his teams.”

The 49ers have used a first-round pick on a defensive player the past three seasons — adding Eric Reid (2013), Jimmie Ward (2014) and Armstead (2015).

New defensive co-ordinator Jim O’Neil will appreciate the help as the franchise continues to rebuild after the departures of veteran stars Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith in recent years.

“You know my feelings: you never have enough pass rushers,” Baalke said at February’s scouting combine. “We obviously didn’t generate a lot of pressures, a lot of sacks, so it’s always an area you’re going to look to improve in.”

Originally published as 49ers tipped to pick defensive monster DeForest Buckner in NFL draft