New York Giants Draft: Looking back at 7 previous No. 7 NFL Draft picks

2016 NFL Draft: DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon/San Francisco 49ers

With the 7th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers decided to select DeForest Buckner out of Oregon, looking to add youth to their defensive line, this was the second season in a row the 49ers decided to select a defensive lineman in the first round after they selected Arik Armstead 17th overall in 2015.

Right out of the gate Buckner showcased his potential as a star player, tallying 73 combined tackles, 6 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 18 QB hits during his rookie season, it quickly seemed as if choosing Buckner 7th overall was the right decision.

Buckner would continue to make a name for himself as one of the best defensive linemen in the entire NFL over the next couple of seasons, tallying over 60 tackles in each season he was on the 49ers, even making the Pro-Bowl in 2018 and the All-Pro 2nd team in 2019.

However, with the 49ers cap space starting to become an issue, they decided to trade Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft in which they selected Buckner’s replacement in Javon Kinlaw.

In the last two seasons on the Colts, Buckner has continued to dominate, making a Pro-Bowl in both seasons, alongside an All-Pro 1st team in 2020.

In 17 games played this season, Buckner tallied 68 combined tackles, 7 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 18 QB hits, helping the Colts defense rank 23rd in rushing yards allowed.

If Buckner can continue to play at this level he will likely go down as one of the best defensive linemen in recent memory.