First 4 years, Aaron Donald (average per year):

51.0 tackles, 9.75 sacks, 10.5 TFL, 2.25 FF

First 4 years, DeForest Buckner (avrage per year):

65.5 tackles, 7.13 sacks, 5.0 TFL, 0.75 FF

Not quite the impact player Donald was stat-wise. However,

And if you are into the PFF thing, AD first, DB second

Year 1 = 90.2 / 71.6
Year 2 = 93.0 / 82.2
Year 3 = 92.6 / 79.3
Year 4 = 94.0 / 78.8

I have seen a lot of "analysis" saying that DB is trending like AD did in his first 4 years.

We are not getting Aarond Donald.

But, the DeForest Buckner we are getting, especially after reading/watching that Stampede Blue article on him, is pretty darn good.

I agree that we only "hope" that the #13 pick would turn into an impact player. Instead, Ballard went out and got a pretty much "for sure" impact player by trading the pick.

I am beginning to like the trade.

They extended his contract, so he won't be too sad

Well, it IS Dam...

Dude beats quite a few double teams in the clips there.

Also, it said that he was involved in the decision on a sign and trade. Looks like he bought in on the idea.

This tells me that Ballard wants to win right now. That won't happen if Bressett is our QB, so he's gonna sign someone.

My thought as well.

I definitely like what I’ve seen on the contract terms. Very team friendly - front loaded with no huge prorated signing bonus that will come back to bite them down the road.

Seen this somewhere - Ballard has turned 4 first round picks into:

Malik Hooker
Quenton Nelson
Brandon Smith
Kemoko Turay
Rock Ya-Sin
Ben Banogu
Marvell Tell
Deforest Buckner
34th pick in 2020

I’ve definitely had my complaints, but I’d say that’s pretty good return. Just need a good QB now.

Aaron Donald went 13 overall. But I’m warming to the idea we got a young all-pro at a position of need for 13.

Probably need to draft one also. Can’t imagine they sign a guy and keep Hoyer and Brisset around. Will probably draft a project I imagine. Maybe one next year.