Nick Bosa is pretty special. The San Francisco 49ers pass rusher was so impressive during his rookie campaign that he was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He hopes to be even better in 2020.
"My expectations are always high," Bosa told reporters in May. "I set my goals really high, and I've been achieving them. So, I'm just going to keep setting them high, and just keep working my butt off. I know the work that I'm putting in now is going to show up, and I think I'm going to be a much-smarter player next year.
"I'm just going to know how to approach my opponents much better, and I'm not going to waste rushes. I'm not going to make silly mistakes that I made last year, and hopefully enhance my game."
NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks is high on Bosa and expects the young defensive stud to build on the award-winning rookie season that saw him rack up nine regular-season and four postseason sacks. Brooks recently ranked his top 10 second-year players heading into the new season, and only one ranked above Bosa.
The young 49ers star will have a couple of opportunities to leave an impression on Brooks' No. 1 ranked player — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
"The 49ers' Energizer Bunny is a game-wrecker off the edge," writes Brooks. "Bosa overwhelms blockers with his relentless energy, effort, and violent hands on the way to the quarterback. The scrappy Ohio State product also displays outstanding strength, power, and pop stacking blockers at the line while tracking down runners. As the tempo setter on a talented 49ers front, the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year could vie for Defensive Player of the Year honors in Year 2."
In addition to his nine regular-season sacks, Bosa racked up 47 tackles, 16 for a loss, 25 quarterback hits, an interception, two passes defensed, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries, according to Pro Football Reference. The accolades don't offset the disappointment of losing in the Super Bowl, though.
"Just the run we made, it was unbelievable," Bosa said in June. "Obviously, one team ends the season happy, and we obviously want some redemption, and that's where our focus is going to be this offseason."