The expectations surrounding the NFL career of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa remain high. He is already DraftKings Sportsbook's favorite to be named the next Defensive Rookie of the Year. Pro Football Focus recently named Bosa as their top candidate to win the honor.

A panel of ESPN NFL experts answered questions on Thursday about the upcoming season. One of those questions asked who they felt would earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, with two writers selecting Bosa. They are national writer Dan Graziano and ESPN The Magazine writer Mina Kimes.


Graziano wrote the following to explain his selection:

"I think he's the best bet among this crew for double-digit sacks (a rare rookie feat his brother pulled off a few years ago). Because individual interception totals are just about impossible to predict, I'll go with the guy I think is going to get the most sacks. These awards tend to go to the guys who put up big counting numbers."

Kimes wrote the following to explain her selection:

"If Bosa can reap double-digit sacks -- a task that will be made easier by the presence of trade acquisition Dee Ford and the continued development of DeForest Buckner -- it's going to be hard not to give him the award. I think the Devins might make just as much of an impact, but Bosa's statistics will push him over the top."

While two writers picked Bosa, three selected Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush, two selected Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage Jr., and Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White received two votes.


Bosa hit the 49ers practice field for the first time last week as he took part in the team's rookie minicamp. He didn't, however, take part in 11-on-11 drills during the Friday session which was open to the media. The coaching staff explained that it wants to ease its rookie pass rusher back into action. A core muscle injury shortened Bosa's final year at Ohio State, and he opted to undergo surgery to repair the damage.

Bosa registered 77 combined tackles with 17.5 sacks in just over two seasons with the Buckeyes. He remains one of two rookies from the 49ers' 2019 draft class who remain unsigned. The other is second-round selection Deebo Samuel, the wide receiver out of South Carolina.

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