All eyes were on rookie defensive end and No. 2 overall pick Nick Bosa when the 49ers opened training camp practices Saturday. Bosa didn’t disappoint.
He worked with the second unit for most of the first day of camp, but got snaps with the starters when the team was in third down situations. He did not disappoint despite not getting much action in OTAs due to a hamstring injury.
The rookie defensive end drew rave reviews from 12-year veteran left tackle Joe Staley, who said Bosa won their matchups three times:
There couldn’t be much better news for the 49ers from Day 1 of camp.
Their star rookie was healthy and winning matchups against one of the best left tackles in the league. That’s what he’ll be expected to do once the regular season kicks off. Bosa’s next step will be working full time with the first team since he’s expected to be capable of staying on the field for all three downs.
It’s important to not put too much stock into the first day of camp. However, Bosa’s performance and Staley’s ensuing review are a very good star, and certainly preferable to Bosa being ineffective.
If this is the track Bosa continues on throughout his rookie season, it won’t take him long to be the game-wrecking edge rusher the 49ers envisioned when they selected him with the second pick in this year’s draft.
