DeForest Buckner to the Seattle Seahawks?: How to make it happen

DeForest Buckner can be a difference maker for the Seahawks

For those that don’t remember the former 49er terror, Buckner is a seven-year veteran who helped the Oregon Ducks get to the first-ever College Football Playoff national championship in 2014. Buckner was then drafted by San Francisco 7th overall in 2016.

Buckner is a former All-Pro that was arguably the key cog in the 49ers vaunted 2019 defense that got them within a few plays of a championship. Due to a salary cap crunch, San Francisco traded Buckner to Indianapolis that offseason. While the Colts have been all over the map as a franchise during his tenure, Buckner has consistently been a bright light for the Colts.

Over the course of his career, Buckner has been as consistent as they come. He’s averaged 66 tackles a year, 20 QB hits, and just over 7.5 sacks a season. These are numbers that are similar to what Uchenna Nwosu put up in last year’s breakout season but Buckner is a defensive tackle. You have to go all the way back to 2018 to see a season like that from a Seahawks DT. That was when Jarran Reed had his breakout season. Adding a talent like Buckner would give Seattle arguably its best DT since Cortez Kennedy. 

Other than in 2019 when Buckner was playing with Fred Warner, Richard Sherman, a rookie named Nick Bosa, and Arik Armstead, you can make a legitimate case he’ll have never had as much defensive talent and promise around him as he would in Seattle in 2023. You look at the youthful promise, free agent additions, and returning health - there may not be a more perfect match between a player and a team to reach another level.

Buckner can bring out the best in the Seahawks and the Seahawks can bring out the best in Buckner. When you look at the weaknesses on this team, stopping the run and creating interior pressure, Buckner is a perfect fit.