People like to play the blame game after the Super Bowl, finding someone most responsible for the loss. Kyle Shanahan and Jimmy Garoppolo were popular targets; part of the job description when you lose. Free from criticism, though, is Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa.
Bosa had himself a Super Bowl, with 5 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. With a more favorable bounce, that forced fumble could have turned into a takeaway and defensive touchdown.
Bosa had 4 sacks in his three postseason games, following up a regular season where he had 9.5 sacks. In the last 20 years, 19 players have had more sacks in their rookie seasons.
TOP ROOKIE PASS RUSHERS, 2000-PRESENT | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Sacks | Player | Pos |
2011 | 14.0 | Aldon Smith, S.F. | OLB |
2002 | 13.0 | Dwight Freeney, Ind. | DE |
2018 | 12.0 | Bradley Chubb, Den. | LB |
2006 | 12.0 | Mark Anderson, Chi. | DE |
2003 | 12.0 | Terrell Suggs, Balt. | OLB |
2002 | 12.0 | Julius Peppers, Car. | DE |
2011 | 11.5 | Von Miller, Den. | OLB |
2009 | 11.0 | Brian Orakpo, Wash. | OLB |
2006 | 11.0 | Kamerion Wimbley, Clev. | OLB |
2000 | 11.0 | Darren Howard, N.O. | DE |
2019 | 10.5 | Josh Allen, Jac. | DE |
2016 | 10.5 | Joey Bosa, S.D. | DE |
2003 | 10.5 | Kevin Williams, Minn. | DE |
2019 | 10.0 | Maxx Crosby, Oak. | DE |
2010 | 10.0 | Ndamukong Suh, Det. | DT |
2009 | 10.0 | Clay Matthews, G.B. | OLB |
2005 | 10.0 | Shawne Merriman, S.D. | OLB |
2010 | 9.5 | Carlos Dunlap, Cin. | DE |
2000 | 9.5 | Corey Simon, Phil. | DT |
2019 | 9.0 | Nick Bosa, S.F. | DE |
2014 | 9.0 | Aaron Donald, St.L. | DT |
2004 | 9.0 | Jared Allen, K.C. | DE |
2001 | 9.0 | Kendrell Bell, Pitt. | ILB |
2017 | 8.5 | Carl Lawson, Cin. | DE |
2011 | 8.5 | Jabaal Sheard, Clev. | DE |
2006 | 8.5 | Elvis Dumervil, Den. | DE |
2001 | 8.5 | Justin Smith, Cin. | DE |
2000 | 8.5 | Shaun Ellis, NYJ | DE |
2016 | 8.0 | Yannick Ngakoue, Jac. | DE |
2015 | 8.0 | Preston Smith, Wash. | DE |
2013 | 8.0 | Ziggy Ansah, Det. | DE |
2012 | 8.0 | Bruce Irvin, Sea. | DE |
2006 | 8.0 | Tamba Hali, K.C. | DE |
2005 | 8.0 | DeMarcus Ware, Dall. | OLB |
2002 | 8.0 | Carlos Hall, Tenn. | DE |
2000 | 8.0 | Brian Urlacher, Chi. | MLB |
2019 | 7.5 | Brian Burns, Car. | LB |
2011 | 7.5 | Adrian Clayborn, T.B. | DE |
2011 | 7.5 | Ryan Kerrigan, Wash. | OLB |
2005 | 7.5 | Leroy Hill, Sea. | OLB |
2004 | 7.5 | Will Smith, N.O. | DE |
2019 | 7.0 | Montez Sweat, Wash. | LB |
2018 | 7.0 | Darius Leonard, Ind. | LB |
2017 | 7.0 | T.J. Watt, Pitt. | OLB |
2017 | 7.0 | Myles Garrett, Clev. | DE |
2016 | 7.0 | Leonard Floyd, Chi. | OLB |
2011 | 7.0 | Sam Acho, Ariz. | OLB |
2011 | 7.0 | Karl Klug, Tenn. | DT |
2002 | 7.0 | Charles Grant, N.O. | DE |
2002 | 6.5 | Kalimba Edwards, Det. | DE |
2002 | 6.5 | John Henderson, Jac. | DT |
2001 | 6.5 | Andre Carter, S.F. | DE |
2001 | 6.5 | Aaron Schobel, Buff. | DE |
2018 | 6.0 | Sam Hubbard, Cin. | DE |
2017 | 6.0 | Takkarist McKinley, At. | DE |
2016 | 6.0 | DeForest Buckner, S.F. | DE |
2012 | 6.0 | Chandler Jones, N.E. | DE |
2012 | 6.0 | Whitney Mercilus, Hou. | OLB |
2012 | 6.0 | Derek Wolfe, Den. | DE |
2011 | 6.0 | Pernell McPhee, Balt. | DE |
2011 | 6.0 | Brooks Reed, Hou. | OLB |
2007 | 6.0 | Gaines Adams, T.B. | DE |
2001 | 6.0 | Derrick Burgess, Phil. | DE |
Table shows all rookies with at least 6 sacks; there have been 63 such players in the last 20 years, so about 3 per season. That makes 2019 a good year; there were five of them (shown in bold). Two, Josh Allen and Maxx Crosby, had more than Bosa.
No question San Francisco has a good young nucleus of defensive talent, led by Bosa. It's a defense that should be good for a long time. If Garoppolo and the offense can take another step forward, it probably won't be Bosa's last Super Bowl appearance.
--Andy Richardson