49ers rookie Nick Bosa is getting some defensive line help from an unlikely source. Despite playing alongside Dee Ford and DeForest Buckner, who were both Pro Bowlers last season, Bosa is getting assistance from the other side of the line.
Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee noted on Twitter that Bosa was working with veteran offensive lineman Joe Staley after Monday’s practice. The rookie defensive end got the better of Staley a few times Saturday in his first, unpadded practice.
This is especially noteworthy since Staley had Monday off as part of his scheduled veteran rest. He still took time after practice to help Bosa polish his game.
It’s also intriguing that Bosa was working specifically on stopping running plays. That’s going to be a crucial part of his job as a defensive end in a ‘Wide 9’ scheme where he’s setting the edge. Bosa was good at this in college, but adjusting to the strength and speed of NFL defensive linemen will require some tinkering with his technique.
There aren’t many offensive lineman better than Staley to learn from. He’s been a tremendous NFL player for 12 seasons and is one of the leaders in the 49ers locker room. Working with a rookie defensive lineman is a sterling example of that.
Bosa brings all the physical tools to be a dominant edge defender in the NFL. Adapting to the professional level isn’t easy for most players, and getting help from a veteran teammate who’s spent years stopping defensive ends should help the first-year defensive end transition more quickly.
