What a year it's been for Nick Bosa and Dre Greenlaw, and their season is not over just yet. Bosa was named Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year by Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA). Greenlaw also earned himself a spot on PFWA's All-Rookie Team.
Appearing in all 16 games in 2019, Bosa posted nine sacks (third among all NFL rookies) and led the NFL with 25 quarterback hits in his first year in San Francisco. He also registered 47 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss (tied for fifth among all NFL players), two passes defended, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception.
Making his first-career playoff appearance, Bosa led the team with two sacks and six solo tackles in the 49ers 27-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Bosa joined defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield (2.0 sacks vs. New York Giants in 1994) and nose tackle Michael Carter (2.0 sacks vs. Chicago Bears in 1985) as the only 49ers rookies since 1982 to have 2.0-plus sacks in a postseason game.
Bosa became the first 49ers player to be selected as PFWA's Rookie of the Year and the fifth San Francisco player to receive Defensive Player of the Year honors – the first since linebacker Aldon Smith won the Defensive Rookie award in 2011.
Greenlaw finished the year with 62 solo tackles (the most of any rookie linebacker), three tackles for loss, two passes defended, two quarterback hits, a sack and an interception. His most recognizable play came during his crucial fourth-down stop against Jacob Hollister and the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17 that ultimately sealed the 49ers top seed in the NFC.
Both rookies aided a 49ers defense that held opponents to 281.8 yards per game (second in the league), 48 sacks (fifth in the league) and allowed an average of 19.4 points per game (eighth in the league).
It's also worth recognizing, tight end George Kittle was named to the 2019 PFWA All-NFL Team and Kittle along with Richard Sherman earned a spot on their All-NFC Team.
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ABOUT THE PFWA: In its 56th season in 2019, the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) is the official voice of pro football writers, promoting and fighting for access to NFL personnel to best serve the public. The PFWA is made up of accredited writers who cover the NFL and the 32 teams daily. Bob Glauber, the national football columnist for Newsday, is the organization's president for the 2018-20 seasons. The Athletic's Lindsay Jones is the PFWA's first vice-president, The Athletic's Dan Pompei is the PFWA's second vice-president and The Athletic's Mike Sando is the PFWA secretary-treasurer. At-large members include ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold, ProFootballtalk.com's Charean Williams, Sports Illustrated'sJenny Vrentas and USA Today'sMike Jones. Follow the PFWA at ProFootballWriters.org and on Twitter at @PFWAwriters.
