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was a monster in 2022. He'll probably be a monster again in 2023. The San Francisco 49ers pass rusher is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL with 18.5 sacks and frustrating so many opposing quarterbacks.
It's no surprise to see Bosa on
Next Gen Stats' list of the top 10 disruptors of 2022. The defensive end comes in at No. 2 in the ranking, with only Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys ahead of him. After such an impressive campaign, why isn't Bosa listed in the top spot?
"Well, it was a narrow miss," writer Nick Shook admits. "Bosa's totals are right up there with the top player on this list, but as I stated in the introduction, turnovers caused by pressure were the differentiator. That's it."
While Bosa bested Parsons in nearly every other Next Gen Stats measurable, including pressures, hurries, and sacks, the latter produced five turnovers caused by pressure compared to the former's three.
"Bosa had a fantastic season, the best of his impressive career," added Shook. "Two years after suffering a torn ACL in a Week 2 game against the Jets, Bosa was back and better than ever, building on a Pro Bowl campaign that saw him record 15.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss (in 2021). He's an elite edge rusher who is undoubtedly deserving of a massive new deal.
"Entering a contract year, he'll aim to continue to produce at the premier level that saw him earn the top defensive honor. And judging by what we've seen from him, there's no reason to believe he won't do just that."
One more 49ers defensive lineman made the list.
Javon Hargrave came in at No. 7. San Francisco signed the defensive tackle away from the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, bolstering a unit that already included Bosa and Arik Armstead.
"While [DT Fletcher] Cox temporarily struggled, Hargrave was nothing but productive, racking up 18.5 sacks and totaling 111 QB pressures during the last two seasons," wrote Shook. "His 2021 numbers were good enough to earn him a Pro Bowl nod (and a ninth-place spot on this list), but he was arguably better in 2022, besting his hurries, sacks and turnovers caused by pressure totals. His pressures and pressure rate declined a bit, but Hargrave's most consequential numbers were improved as part of an Eagles defense that flirted with history and included another player on this list (Haason Reddick).
"It makes sense that San Francisco didn't blink at handing him a four-year, $84 million deal at 30 years old this offseason. He proved he can be counted on to disrupt opposing offenses every week, especially when he shares the field with quality teammates."
Hargrave's presence will make things easier on Bosa, who could be poised for an even more impressive season thanks to the addition. The 49ers defensive end is very excited to have Hargrave on his side now.
"
With all the talent we have on our team, to add a guy who's the top free agent ... to get the top guy, and a guy that I feel like people give him his due, but people don't really know how good he is overall," Bosa told reporters on Tuesday. "... I feel like he isn't quite talked about in the Aaron Donald, top-echelon, Chris Jones [type players], but I think he played like that last year, and throughout his career. Him and Arik inside should be pretty fun."
Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group caught up with Brock Purdy over the weekend as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback hosted his inaugural youth football camp at Levi's Stadium. Today, Purdy and most of his teammates will report to the team for the start of the offseason program, which will be limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation over the next couple of weeks.
While this offseason holds significance for Purdy as he seeks to build upon an impressive 2023 campaign that saw him set a single-season franchise
Despite initial reports, two draft prospects who were set to visit the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft ultimately did not meet with the team. Matt Barrows of The Athletic revealed that former USC wide receiver Brenden Rice and former Oregon safety Jamal Hill didn't end up visiting the Bay Area organization.
Barrows wrote, "Meanwhile, a report in March indicated that USC receiver Brenden Rice, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, would visit the 49ers, but he didn't end up coming, according to two league sources."
Justin Melo of The Draft Network first
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus unveiled a seven-round mock draft for the San Francisco 49ers, addressing several key needs for the team in the 10-pick projection. Interestingly, the mock draft sees the team adding two legacy players. But before delving into that, let's examine the first three selections.
Sikkema has the 49ers shoring up their offensive line at pick No. 31 with the selection of former Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan.
Morgan allowed 14 pressures and two sacks in his 477 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle in 2023. He earned an impressive pass-blocking grade of 87.3 and an overall grade of
The upcoming NFL Draft holds special significance for the San Francisco 49ers, with ties to several familiar faces from the team's past. A handful of legacy players hope to make their mark, possibly receiving a life-changing call from 49ers general manager John Lynch.
Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, is one such player. The former USC wideout is projected to be a fourth-round draft pick and had the opportunity to meet with the 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine.
When asked about the possibility of joining his father's former team, Brenden confidently expressed, "Honestly, I just
