NFL Mock Draft 2016: Taking a swing in Los Angeles

Oregon. DeForest Buckner. 6. player. 26. <p>The Ravens are the epitome of a team that takes the best player available. That player, at least according to Todd McShay’s rankings, is Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.</p> <p>It certainly helps that Buckner is the perfect 3-4 defensive end given his tremendous size (6-foot-7 and more than 290 pounds), but Baltimore has never shied away from simply picking up the top player on their board. Buckner ranks behind Joey Bosa in terms of “defensive ends” in this class, but they are very different prospects in that Bosa is almost purely a 4-3 defensive end while Buckner serves a more versatile role that would gel with what Baltimore likes to do defensively.</p> <p>The Ravens do have a need along the offensive line, at least long-term, and that could reasonably bring Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley into play here. However, Baltimore’s offensive tackle issues are more in line with the fact that Eugene Monroe can’t stay on the field than anything else, and the Ravens could look at their depth chart, cross their fingers and hope that changes in 2016.</p> <p>DeForest Buckner is a monster to the point where at least one prominent outlet (Pro Football Focus) believes he is the top player in this class. That seems like a guy that the Ravens would steal with the number six overall pick.</p>. DE