Draft Sharks Bottom Line:

If you have to fill a DT-specific starting slot, then you shouldn't need to hear/read a case for Buckner at this point. He's an "early" target for that position.

Since Buckner entered the league in 2016, only 3 DTs have delivered more QB hits: Aaron Donald, Geno Atkins and Fletcher Cox. (And Buckner sits just 1 behind Atkins and Cox.)

Buckner, of course, joined the Colts via trade this offseason after 4 years with the 49ers. He leaves behind 1 of the NFL's best defenses -- but just in 2019. The 49ers' defense finished each of Buckner's previous 3 seasons outside the league's top 20 in Football Outsiders' DVOA. Buckner starred right away in spite of his surroundings; not because of them.

He'll find a Colts defense that appears to be trending upward. And Indy's new D-line coach can't hurt. Brian Baker has spent 19 of his 37 coaching years in the NFL. He spent 4 of the past 5 years in the SEC, though, at Mississippi State and then Alabama. That run included coaching a MSU line with NFL 1st-rounders Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat.

Indy gave a 1st-round pick for Buckner and then extended him at $84 million over 4 years because the team expects him to dominate. We share their confidence in a player who has finished 3 of his 4 seasons among the top 8 IDP linemen.