So much of a rookie's success is predicated on the situation he walks into. For Nick Bosa, it's hard to imagine he could have hoped for a more ideal landing spot. The San Francisco 49ers made the Ohio State pass rusher the second-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday evening.
The pressure of being a top five pick can be immense, which is why Bosa will be thankful to be alongside Dee Ford and DeForest Buckner.
"It's unbelievable, just to be on a team that shouldn't have been (drafting) this high in the draft with all the talent that they have," Bosa said. "Then they add Dee Ford, which just makes this defensive line pretty scary. It's pretty impossible to double team all of us."
Bosa spent ample time with 49ers brass during the pre-draft process. San Francisco interviewed him at the Combine, they took him out to dinner following Ohio State's pro day and then he came to the team facility on an official visit.
Those interactions with John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh left Bosa with the understanding that San Francisco was the place for him.
"I knew I wanted to go there," Bosa said. "I knew they were an unbelievable fit for me, and the people made me feel really comfortable. The area is super nice. It's definitely an amazing fit. I'm excited to go to work."
Shanahan said he believes Bosa can be a three-down player in the NFL and suggested that his play against the run is underrated. Playing defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, setting the edge against the run and, of course, rushing the passer, are already a part of Bosa's repertoire. That should limit his learning curve upon joining the 49ers offseason program.
"It's exactly what I've been doing all my life," Bosa said. "I think I'll hop in and acclimate pretty quick."
Bosa recorded 17.5 sacks, 29 tackles for loss and 77 total tackles over three years with the Buckeyes. His junior season in 2018 was cut short after suffering an abdominal injury. At that point, Bosa made the decision to step away from Ohio State after three games and begin his preparations for the NFL Draft.
Simply put, he's ready to get back to playing football.
"I miss it a lot, man," Bosa said. "You don't realize until you're away from it for so long. I'm itching to get out there. I really am."
