Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting best- and worst-case roles for 49ers’ 2019 NFL Draft picks

By Robert Morrison

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa is greeted by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked 2nd overall by the San Francisco 49ers on day 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa is greeted by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked 2nd overall by the San Francisco 49ers on day 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers completed their rookie minicamp over the weekend, giving their new NFL Draft picks a chance to hit the field for the first time as pros. With that in mind, Niner Noise takes a look at the possible best- and worst-case roles for each 2019 draft pick.

EDGE Nick Bosa

Best case: Bosa lives up the hype and the odds and wins Defensive Rookie of the Year, becoming the team’s primary sack machine and taking over as its best overall defensive player.

He proves himself capable of being a three down player, succeeding as both a run stopper in base defense and a pass-rusher, racking up tackles and sacks for what proves to be a formidable defensive line for the 49ers.

Worst case: The No. 2 overall selection fails to fully get his feet under him, forcing him into a position where he only fits as a situational pass-rusher on obvious passing downs. While he still gets some numbers in the sack category, as a rookie, he fails to make the massive impact that might have been expected of him given his draft slot.

Prediction: With so many pieces along the defensive line, including Pro Bowler DeForest Bucker, Arik Armstead and offseason signing Dee Ford, the old cliché seems likely to come into play: offensives can’t double team everyone. The numbers for Bosa may not necessarily end up being eye-popping, but he will help bolster a pass rush that was often lacking last year.