NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Quarterbacks rise post-combine, Redskins land pass catcher
2. player. 42. . Defensive End. Ohio State. Nick Bosa
The 49ers would be ecstatic if Nick Bosa is available with the second pick. The team needs to add some talent to their edge rush, as former No. 3 overall pick Solomon Thomas has been a disappointment to this point. Bosa would give the team the top-caliber pass rusher that they need to continue to build a strong defensive line.
Bosa was a great pass rusher for Ohio State in each of the past three seasons. Though he elected to sit out the rest of the season to prepare for the draft after suffering an injury in his final year, he was still hyper-productive in three games, as he notched four sacks for the squad. In 29 career college games, he had 17.5 sacks, an impressive feat considering that he was only a rotational edge player in his first year at the school.
At the combine, Bosa did everything he needed to solidify himself as a top-five pick. He weighed in well, showed good movement skills, and showed enough athletic ability to succeed at the NFL level.
It’s possible that Bosa could end up being the first pick in the draft if the Cardinals change their tune about Murray and have trouble locating a trade partner for the pick. But for now, the 49ers benefit from Murray’s rise and will capitalize by adding one of the top edge rushers in a very strong class.