Dec 21, 2013; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Washington State Cougars safety Deone Bucannon during the second half against the Colorado State Rams during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cougars 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In our first look at where Deone Bucannon might go in the NFL Draft, our incredible FanSided affiliated site “NFL Mocks” placed our very own strong safety in the mid second round. The exact pick was at No. 51 and the team was the Chicago Bears.
Author of this draft Erik Lambert is doing a fantastic job of setting up some variable trades and things that teams might come up with throughout at least the first two rounds. With that of course, come some changes in the picks that are made by certain teams. In the mock draft second round 2.0, Lambert has an interesting trade at No. 51.
"#51 – San Francisco 49ers (from CHI) – Deone Bucannon – S – WashingtonTrade yield: Bears get SF 4th round pickStill fielding offers to move down, the Bears swing a deal with the 49ers for a 4th round choice. In return San Francisco moves up to claim Washington safety Deone Bucannon. Big and rangy, he is a fierce hitter but also quite adept at taking the ball away. He is a nice insurance policy in case Donte Whitner leaves in free agency."
This, my friends, would break my achy-breaky heart. I dislike San Francisco with a whole heap of vigor and passion and especially this week, I did not want to hear that one of our favorite all-time Cougs might be headed to the Bay Area to play at least his first several years professionally.
That being said, my brother and fellow ACU writer Caleb would like this very much since he is a die-hard Niners fan. He is under the impression that Whitner isn’t going anywhere and will re-sign with the Niners, which would make Bucannon a backup for at least a few seasons. However the prospect of more dough elsewhere on a team that might need him to improve their backfield and be able to afford his services a little bit easier is certainly on the table.
In that scenario a Reid/Bucannon backfield for San Francisco would rival exactly what Seattle did by drafting Thomas and Chancellor within the last few years, far as stylistically. The move would also be cool for Bucannon himself as his family is down there (Fairfield, CA) and I’m sure are 49ers fans in their own right (who knows, perhaps that is his childhood dream). And of course he fits the mold of current Niners and NFC West football under Jim Harbaugh, tough, hard-hitting and take the ball away.
So there it is. NFL Mocks is far from the only source we’ll be looking at when considering Bucannon’s draft stock, so stay tuned to ACU for other looks at where he might be wanted and where some of the experts think he could be headed come April. Click the links if you’re wanting to see the complete 1st round or complete 2nd round of action.