A strong offseason could put Michael Buchanan into Day Two conversations this April (Photo: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports)
DraftBrowns.com Staff Writer: Justin Higdon
Some years, a team’s poor performance can undo some of the good will a player had built up previously. Such is the case of Illinois defensive end Michael Buchanan. After complimenting Whitney Mercilus the prior season, Buchanan was expected to take off in 2012. But the Illini limped to a 2-10 finish and, while he still had his moments, he never took that next step forward. Still, Buchanan has exciting athletic upside, and could work his way into Day Two consideration with a strong offseason.
Michael Buchanan Illinois DE 6’5 1/8″ 252 lbs, 9 7/8″ hands, 33 1/4″ arms
Buchanan is a lanky pass rusher with a quick first step. He demonstrates pretty good bend on his attack, and can beat slower tackles with a speed rush from a three-point stance, or from standing up. Buchanan gets caught on skates at times, and his troubles changing direction may be due to his build. Still, he has a good motor and will pursue run plays from the backside.
He has long arms to disrupt passing lanes. He can bounce down the line of scrimmage and shadow the QB, ultimately getting his hands up to bat down the pass. On one play in particular, Buchanan lined up in a 9-technique, flowed inside, batted a pass up in the air and intercepted it. It was simply a tremendous athletic play.
He is not really strong, and can get pushed around a bit, but he has active hands and uses them well to free himself from blocks. Buchanan has a variety of pass rush moves. He can spin to either side, speed rush, cross the face, or come inside on a stunt. The only area he is lacking is the strength to bull rush. Buchanan is an intriguing talent, with speed and athleticism that should impress throughout the draft process.
Update 1/28/13: Buchanan weighing in over 250 pounds at the Senior Bowl is encouraging, but it was clear during one-on-one drills that he could stand to work on his upper body strength. He was still able to win some battles with his speed, but he needs to be more consistent getting off the ball. At times he seemed a half-step slow getting out of his stance. Buchanan made his mark on Saturday’s game by blocking a 52 yard field goal attempt.
Game Notes:
Vs. Western Michigan (’12)
- Beats the RT with a spin move inside, and gets pressure on the quarterback.
- Bounces down the line shadowing the QB and gets his hands up to bat down the pass.
- Lines up wide 9, flows inside, bats a pass up and intercepts it – great play!
- Lines up wide 9, comes inside on a stunt and gets a sack – nice design.
- Pretty good job of using his hands to get free from the blocker.
- Shows some good bend on a cut block
Vs. Louisiana Tech (’12)
- Quick first step, kind of lanky.
- Shows a little bend on a pass rush.
- Beats the LT on a speed rush from standing up.
- Applies pressure untouched but misses the sack – gets caught on skates.
- Good motor and will pursue run plays from the backside.
- Long arms.
- Not really strong and can get pushed around a bit
Vs. Penn State (’12)
- Getting blocked fairly easily.
- Doesn’t seem to have effective moves – tries to spin but gets neutralized.
- Beats the LT with an inside pass rush move and forces a hurried throw.
- Leaves briefly with a leg injury.
- Returns, stays home on a couple of run plays to make tackles at the LOS.
- Good use of hands to fight off the LT, uses speed to close quickly and get in on a sack.
- Just looks like he lacks upper body strength
Vs. Ohio State (’12)
- Draws a couple of double-teams early – one on each side of the LOS.
- Getting sealed to the inside on some QB runs.
- Getting blocked and unable to factor in stopping the run.
- Gives constant effort even on plays away from him.
- Misses a tackle behind the LOS on a QB run.
- Stays with Miller, forces him inside and helps stop him for a short gain.
- Getting double teamed and chip a lot.
- Blocked one on one by the RT a few times – RT uses his long arms to keep Buchanan at bay.
- Second team OL came in at the end
- Good reaction/pursuit along the line on a run to the opposite side – looks good defending the run
- Mike Adams pushes him all over the field on a run play