49ers defensive linemen D.J. Jones and Nick Bosa have a ways to go before they match the careers of the players they were compared to by defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans on Thursday, but those comparisons put them in impressive company nonetheless.
Jones and Bosa have been performing at a high level recently, with the strengths of each player on full display. Ryans spoke about each player during his weekly media session on Thursday, and when he compared Jones to players he played with during his NFL career, he thought of Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who has been compiling a Hall of Fame resume over his ten seasons in the league.
"I think D.J. is in his own category, but I think a guy who I've seen with the strength and power that D.J. has -- similar guy, different body types -- but Fletcher Cox is one guy I played with who was a very physical guy, being able to shed blocks and wreck things in the backfield," Ryans said. "That's what you see D.J. doing as well. So the one guy I played with that I can compare to from that nature as far as being violent, attacking, knocking guys back and making plays in the backfield would be Fletcher Cox."
When it came to Bosa, Ryans made a comparison to another future Hall of Famer in J.J. Watt, at least in one respect. Bosa has been rushing from the right and the left this season, which is something Watt has done during his career due to his ability to beat anyone he faces.
"It is impressive to see that because you see some guys, they just get comfortable doing one side -- only rush from the right or only rush from the left. So it has been impressive to see Nick move around, right or left," Ryans said. "And it really doesn't matter where he is, right? He's effective no matter where he is on the field, wherever he lines up along the defensive line. The one guy I played that was similar in that way was J.J. Watt He was a guy you could move around. Whatever the matchup was, he can win against anybody. So you allowed him to move around -- whoever you want to go against, you take him. So that's kind of the same approach we take with Nick. Wherever he wants to lineup, he has that freedom to do it because he's shown us he can win against anyone."
Bosa said he doesn't quite pattern his game after Watt, who was as good as any defensive player in recent memory during his prime.
"There's only one J.J. Watt. You're not really gonna go out there and do what he does," Bosa said Thursday. "So I wouldn't really say that my game is much like his, but he's obviously one of the best ever.
"He would always move around, go towards the matchup. Yeah, that's just smart football -- putting J.J. Watt on the worst player."
Bosa told reporters he's felt awkward at first when trying to switch sides but has gained a preference and comfort level for doing both.
"I much prefer playing both, practicing on both, trying to so I feel good wherever I'm at," Bosa said.
But while Bosa has some work to do before reaching the type of accolades Watt has earned during his career, what he's shown this season has been impressive.
"I think it is difficult when you talk about your stance and footwork," Ryans said. "You have to rep it and you have to take your body through that process when you've been so much accustomed to doing it one way. So there is, mechanically, getting your body and your mind right to rush from the left side. It's just changing up the footwork, but it takes time. Nick has worked really hard at it. He practices it when nobody else is out there. He's working on his stance, working on his footwork, and he's done a heck of a job on it."
