How 49ers’ Nick Bosa is making Javon Kinlaw better

What makes San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa such an outstanding player? His teammate, Javon Kinlaw, believes he has the answer.

This past season, Bosa racked up 15.5 regular-season sacks, adding four more in the playoffs. Making that even more impressive is the fact that the talented pass rusher was coming off an ACL injury that prematurely ended his 2020 campaign.

While most players aren't the same in their first season back from such a devastating injury, Bosa was better.

"You want me to tell you why?" Kinlaw asked Brad Graham of TheSFNiners during a recent interview. "Because he's probably one of the hardest working people I know. It ain't because he's Nick Bosa. It's because Nick Bosa put in the work—the real work.

"He's just so consistent with everything that he does. He's so, so consistent, and he just made it easy for somebody like me, who's coming in, trying to figure it out, follow the leader. I just literally came in and followed the guy that's very successful on the team."

Kinlaw, the No. 14 overall pick in 2020, is coming off major surgery himself. He appeared in just four games this past season before undergoing reconstructive surgery to repair his ACL—ending his 2021 campaign.

Bosa's path to recovery has motivated Kinlaw, and Bosa's hard work has created a template for the 24-year-old defensive lineman. Kinlaw admits that he is "feeling amazing" and expects to be healthier than ever. That bodes well for a 49ers defense that depends on superb defensive-line play.

"I just work hard all the time now," Kinlaw shared. "I mean, I've been working hard, but now, it's like I hit a different level. Shout out to Nick, though. I'm happy for Nick. He's a goofball, but that's my guy."