49ers LB: Armstead, Buckner duo ‘present whole other dynamic'

Share

The 49ers have spent their last four first-round picks on the defensive side of the ball, and over the last two years added a pair of hulking defensive lineman that played together in college.

Oregon big men Arik Armstead, drafted in 2015, and DeForest Buckner, taken in 2016, reunite on San Francisco's D-line this season.

And one 49ers veteran who will be in close proximity to them, Michael Wilhoite, discussed the pairing.

"I think those guys will present a whole other dynamic," Wilhoite on Saturday told SiriusXM NFL radio.

"In the sense that they’re 6’8, they’re tall, long. They’re putting their hands on O-linemen before O-linemen can get to them. I’m excited to see those two guys out there together," he added.

[WATCH: Slimmed down Carradine hits sleds at 49ers OTAs]

Both Armstead and Buckner list at 6-foot-7 on the team's official website, making them the tallest defensive players on the team. Only offensive lineman Trent Brown and Erik Pears are taller at 6-foot-8.

"I know more than anything, it’ll be intimidating to offenses to look across that field and see all that height between those two and Quinton Dial. And then, you know, Ian Williams with his ability to create havoc in the backfield."

Wilhoite then discussed the type of attitude Buckner has brought as a rookie to his first NFL OTAs.

"So, Buckner’s a really good kid. 'Yes sir, no sir' type of guy. Asks questions when he’s supposed to. I mean he’s listening to us as we’re giving advice. We’re talking to him so, at the the end of the day, that’s all you can ask. All you can ask is for a humble young man, a young man that’s willing to learn and willing to ask questions when he’s supposed to -- and to keep his mouth shut when he’s supposed to. And I think his talent speaks for itself, in the sense that he was drafted so high.

"Right now, we don’t have any pads on, so we’ll see when we have pads on how dangerous he is. But I’m sure they wouldn’t have picked him up if he wasn’t as dangerous as we all think he is.

Contact Us