NFL Network completed its reveal of the NFL Top 100 list on August 28, and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was snubbed from the ranking. Bosa immediately impacted the 49ers' defensive line after being selected out of Ohio State with the No. 2 overall pick in 2019.
The former Buckeye went on to be named the 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after earning nine regular-season sacks and one interception. He had a bigger impact during the postseason, recording four sacks on the way to a Super Bowl 54 appearance.
Last season, Bosa suffered a torn ACL in a Week 2 game against the New York Jets and missed the remainder of the year.
Even though he is healthy and has participated in team drills during training camp, Bosa has not played in the 49ers' three preseason games.
After the NFL Network ranking was completely revealed, fans on Twitter wondered if the third-year edge rusher was snubbed.
do you think @nbsmallerbear was snubbed for not being one of the @nfl top 100 list. @49ers @49erswebzone #49wz #49ers
— Sasha D. Robinson (@SashaDRobinson) August 29, 2021
Here were some responses from fans:
No…he played a game and some change lol
— Manny B. (@xv3stigex) August 29, 2021
That list gets more ignorant every year.
— TIM (@TIM______) August 29, 2021
Nope.
— Ray Horwath (@RayHorwath1) August 29, 2021
Gotta do it to prove it.
Bruh how the hell he gon be on the top 100 when he was injured all year 🤔
— B. (@flyb_rxllin) August 29, 2021
According to a 2013 article from Pro Football Talk, players receive a ballot and list only the top 20 players in the league.
The NFL Top 100 list does not have criteria for the voting process, so even though Bosa only played in two games during the 2020 season, it should not have prevented him from being on the list.
Even though the 49ers defensive line boasts pass-rushing specialists such as Arik Armstead, Jordan Willis, a healthy Dee Ford, and the newly acquired Arden Key, opposing offensive coordinators would have a game plan centered around slowing down or stopping the third-year star.
No disrespect to the other defensive linemen, such as Myles Garrett, Brandon Graham, Leonard Williams, or even former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, but the NFL should have included Bosa within the ranking.
Missing last year due to injury should not have teams forgetting about the impact Bosa makes and how he tormented offenses during his rookie year.
If Bosa ends up playing when the 49ers open the season against the Detroit Lions on September 12, offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn will have a game plan to protect newly acquired quarterback Jared Goff. Bosa has yet to sack the former Los Angeles Rams quarterback and can use Week 1 to prove he was disrespected by the Top 100 ranking.