What a month it's been for rookie defensive lineman Nick Bosa. Bosa was nominated for his third Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honor and earned his second NFC Defensive Player of the Week nod following his dominant Week 8 performance against the Carolina Panthers. Now, he adds another notch to his growing list of attainments as Bosa has earned two new distinctions – NFC Defensive Player of the Month and Defensive Rookie of the Month for October.
From Weeks 5-8, Bosa has registered six sacks, 16 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, a pass defended, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.
"He's an incredibly poised player," veteran cornerback Richard Sherman said. "He's everything you can ask for. He's probably one of the best picks in 10 years.
"He plays like a 10-year vet. He plays with such a savviness and such a poise and such an aggression. You can tell he was coached up great at a young age. He's an incredible talent. And he's so humble. A humble nice guy."
That's high praise coming from a four-time Pro Bowl, three-time All-Pro, Super Bowl Champion teammate. Through his first seven NFL games, Bosa registered 20 total tackles and seven sacks, which is tied for the league-lead among rookies with Jacksonville Jaguars Josh Allen. Bosa's 11 tackles for loss ties Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald for the league lead, having played one less game than both Allen and Donald (49ers Week 4 Bye).
Jevon Kearse currently holds the record for sacks by a rookie with 14, set in 1999. Bosa is on pace to do what no rookie has done before – register a whopping 16 sacks through 16 games.
If Bosa continues his current stat line, he undoubtedly solidifies his name in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, something just one rookie has done in NFL history – Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1981.
