49ers’ Nick Bosa should be considered for Defensive Player of the Year, says Richard Sherman

Richard Sherman sees defensive teammate Nick Bosa as one of the best draft picks in the past 10 years and a strong contender for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

After the San Francisco 49ers' throttling of the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, tight end George Kittle was asked about the performance of his defensive teammate, rookie Nick Bosa.

"It could be a little bit better, I guess," Kittle said before laughing.

All eyes were on wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who was making his 49ers debut, but it was Bosa who stole the show. The rookie finished the game with four tackles, three for a loss, three sacks, and an interception.

Kittle added: "I'm really happy he's on my team because I don't want to block him. It's not very fun to do it in practice, but I'd rather do it then than in a game."

Richard Sherman stepped up to the podium after the 49ers' 51-13 win and praised his rookie defensive teammate, suggesting ... no, straight out saying that Bosa should be seriously considered for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and more.

No, not the Defensive Rookie of the Year — although, he's likely a candidate for that, as well — but the award for the best defensive player in the league, period.

Sherman was reminded that, as good as Bosa is, he's still a rookie.

"He doesn't seem like it, though, does it?" Sherman asked. "I mean, he's an incredibly poised player. He's everything you could ask for every -- I mean, he's probably one of the best picks in 10 years with just how he's played. He's played like this since Day 1.

"You know, if it wasn't for the ankle injury (during training camp), everybody would have saw it early on in the preseason. He didn't get to play in the preseason. Everybody's like, 'Oh my God, he's the No. 2 pick. He hasn't played.' But when he came in here, if you watched him from Day 1, like we got to, he plays like a 10-year vet. He plays with such a savviness, and such a poise, and such an aggression."

Added Sherman: "He deserves Player of the Week, or Rookie of the Week, or Rookie of the Year, or everything. If he just kept the stat line as it is right now, he could win Rookie of the Year. Right now, he should be in line for Defensive MVP."

What did the always mellow (at least, off the field) Bosa have to say about Sherman's compliments?

"We've got a lot of work to do before that," he responded. "But I appreciate it from Sherm."

Sherman wasn't the only one impressed by Bosa's outing against the Panthers.

"It was pretty damn impressive," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I'm sure when I watch the tape, it will even look better. That play that he made on the interception (of Kyle Allen to end the third quarter) was one of the more impressive plays I've seen from a D-lineman, but he should have scored."

There is one honor that Bosa walked away with from the game, and it came courtesy of Kittle as a result of the 46-yard interception return. The rookie pass rusher was named an honorary tight end.

"He got cut blocked, stood back up, intercepted it, and ran it 40 yards after stiff-arming two guys, so he's an honorary tight end for National Tight End Day," Kittle said.