NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger joined 95.7 The Game on Tuesday and explained why he believes the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, can be even better in 2020.
How much better? Baldinger believes Bosa is a candidate for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.
"I think, honestly, in talking to players that have played with Nick Bosa in practice, and talking to oppositions that have had to block him," Baldinger said on the Bonta, Steiny & Guru show, "I believe -- and I was with a general manager last night talking about pass rushers and, specifically, Nick Bosa -- I think he's got a very good chance to be the defensive MVP of this league. I think he has that kind of talent.
"And I think he plays with that type of effort that he can swing any game on any play with his ability to get to the quarterback, draw holding calls, you name it. Look, if the 49ers pull off that Super Bowl game, he might very well have been the Super Bowl MVP the way he played in that game."
Bosa had four postseason sacks, including reaching Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIV. That came after a rookie regular-season campaign that saw the young defender rack up nine sacks, 47 tackles, 16 for a loss, 25 quarterback hits, an interception, two passes defensed, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
"He is probably a top-10 player in this league," Baldinger continued. "You can't say that because he only has 18 to 19 games under his belt right now. But, I think, at this time next year, we could be talking about the premiere defensive player in this league."
.@BaldyNFL tells @BontaSteinyGuru that Nick Bosa has the potential to be next year's defensive MVP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3M2Q5OQ9Qh
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) July 28, 2020