Fansided

10 defensive players to watch in 2020

By William Schneiderhan

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore runs during the third quarter. The New England Patriots play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore runs during the third quarter. The New England Patriots play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field prior to the start of the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field prior to the start of the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

8. Nick Bosa, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers

Jumping from one Buckeye to the next, Nick Bosa put together a dominant rookie year in the NFL in 2019. Playing under Robert Saleh on a team that almost won the Super Bowl, he was a critical piece to one of the league’s best defenses.

Bosa did benefit from the talent around him, but that does not mean he was not great on his own. He gathered nine sacks in 16 games, as well as 25 quarterback hits. He was constantly in the backfield applying pressure, and his season earned him the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Watching pass rushers like Bosa work is a treat. He is explosive and fast enough to gain the edge on most offensive linemen. Something he did a lot during his rookie campaign.

Bosa did set some people off though. He never missed the opportunity to celebrate, and some of those gestures may have angered the opposition or other fans. Regardless of how much you like or dislike him, he projects as one of the best pass rushers of the future.

As far as making sure people were watching him last year, Bosa’s play and celebrations made it hard to not notice him. Now entering his second year in the NFL under Saleh, he can take a massive step in year two.

Bosa will continue to develop as the years go on, which is why he is someone to keep tabs on. The 49ers will be on national TV quite a bit following the Super Bowl appearance, so Bosa will get his screen time in 2020.

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