Former Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa joined KNBR on Friday as he takes in the pre-Super-Bowl festivities in Atlanta, Georgia this week. He will hear his name called early during April's draft, perhaps as early as the first or second overall pick.
The San Francisco 49ers own that No. 2 pick and, should the Arizona Cardinals go in a different direction, could find themselves in position to select the talented pass rusher.
"I would be lucky to get picked by them," Bosa said on the "Gary and Larry" show. "The roster, for a team that's picking No. 2, is a really stacked roster. They had the injury at quarterback that obviously allowed them to get this high in the draft so I think it would be cool, definitely, to go play for a team that is closer than most people think to being a contender."
Bosa was asked if he sees himself more as a 4-3 defensive end or playing within a 3-4 defense.
"I definitely think I can play in a 3-4, but I've always had my hand in the dirt," Bosa responded. "I definitely would feel more comfortable with my hand in the dirt. I just think you get off the ball faster. I'm able to use my hands a little better when I can put my hand in the ground."
Bosa is the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa. He finished the 2018 season with four sacks through three games after recording 13.5 sacks in his previous two years. Bosa registered 77 combined tackles with 17.5 sacks in just over two seasons with the Buckeyes.
Bosa was asked to pretend 49ers general manager John Lynch was sitting in front of him. What would he tell Lynch if the 49ers were trying to decide between himself and someone like former Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen?
"I just think my combination of power and speed is something that is going to translate well in the NFL," Bosa said. "I think you need somebody who could do it all in that sense. I'm pretty confident in my ability, and I'll never stop trying to get better."
Bosa met Lynch in January when Ohio State was in Southern California, where Bosa is training, for the Rose Bowl.
"I talked to John Lynch a little bit at an Ohio State practice. He seems like a really good dude," Bosa told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday.
Bosa admitted that he doesn't know a lot about the 49ers right now but is "hoping to get to know them a little better." He told NBC Sports Bay Area that he is completely healthy and plans to be a full participant at the NFL Scouting Combine later this month.
You can listen to the entire 10-minute conversation with Bosa below.
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