The New England Patriots suspect defense was just victimized by the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle had plenty of success through the air, and also made some plays on the ground.

The Patriots desperately need a player to help shore up some of their defensive shortcomings. That won’t happen in real life before the end of this season, unless someone steps up on the Patriots roster.

Still, it’s obvious New England is starting to let up yards on the ground, and the lack of a pass rush has been there all season, and poses a real problem in the future.

If the Patriots could pluck one player off the San Francisco 49ers roster, it would be defensive end DeForest Buckner.

First off, the Niners are 1-8, so it may seem like a challenge to point out that any player on the squad who can help. But Buckner can. Yes, Buckner is a rookie, but he has potential. Buckner was drafted this past spring with the seventh-overall pick in the NFL draft.

With the Patriots relying on rushers and run-stuffers such as defensive end Trey Flowers and linebacker She McClellin, Buckner would be a welcoming addition to a Patriots’ front-seven that is suddenly lacking in production and talent.

Standing at 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, Buckner could use his big body to mostly help out with the run game, seeing as he’s a 3-4 defensive end-type player, like Richard Seymour once was.

However, Buckner is better than your average interior 3-4 defender when it comes to attacking the quarterback. This is part of the reason he was drafted so high out of Oregon.

Buckner has totaled three sacks and two forced fumbles, to go along with his 41 combined tackles on the season.

Although his stats may be underwhelming at first glance, take into consideration he’s a 3-4 defensive end with just nine games under his belt. Those are fairly good pass-rush numbers considering his type.

Buckner’s production may well improve at a faster rate under the tutelage of Bill Belichick. Either way, adding a player who possesses the skills and power of Buckner would be enough to ignite an underachieving defensive line.

Buckner would likely split time along the defensive line, at both defensive tackle and defensive end in New England’s four-defensive lineman base.



