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Is it possible? Perhaps . . .
I’m talking about Ohio State edge-rusher Nick Bosa slipping to the Jets at three.
Unless there is a major shocker, the Arizona Cardinals will pick Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the first pick.
After that, a lot of people are assuming that the San Francisco 49ers will pick edge-rusher Nick Bosa with the second pick, and pair him with Dee Ford to form a dynamic tandem at defensive end.
Part of that assumption is the fact that a lot of people perceive, incumbent defensive end Solomon Thomas, a former first round pick, as a disappointment.
But Ian Williams said that isn’t the case. I talked to him on the radio this other day. He’s a former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle who analyzes the 49ers for NBC Sports Bay Area.
Williams told me he did a lot of film study of Thomas, and he played better than people think. While he’s not a big sack guy, he’s good against the run and does a nice job of setting the edge.
Also at end, they have another former first round pick pick, Arik Armstead.
So they have Ford, Thomas and Armstead at end.
Ian also said they also have two other players they like in Julian Thomas and Ronald Blair.
They going five deep with quality ends, so Ian isn’t so sure Bosa is a priority. He feels there is a glut at that position.
He feels that Quinnen Williams is the better way to go to team with DeForest Buckner at defensive tackle.
So it’s quite possible that Bosa could fall to the Jets.
I was under the assumption that DE was a need for San Francisco, but Ian Williams doesn’t agree with that premise.
Some people might think that Bosa isn’t an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker due to his athletic stiffness and his 4.79 forty at the combine.
But you know what, if he’s the best pass rusher in the draft, the Jets need to grab him.
They can’t mess around anymore.
This need has been there for a decade. It’s time for them to solve it.
Some people might view Kentucky’s Josh Allen as the better fit at 3-4 OLB compared to Bosa, but two concerns there – really, really small hands (pass rushers obviously use their hands a lot) and NFL.com draft guru Lance Zierlein said he might not be a “glass-eater.”
In other words, he could be a little tougher.
To me, they need to lean on Gregg Williams quite a bit for this decision. The man is a defensive savant, whose been coordinating defenses for three decades.
Mr. Coffee needs to ask Williams a blunt question – “Who fits what you want to do better, Nick Bosa or Josh Allen.”
That is, if they’re both available.
But the idea that Bosa might be available at three is something I didn’t consider seriously until having that chat with Ian Williams.
Not only does he cover the 49ers for NBC Sports Bay Area, but he used to play on their defensive line, and still talks to people in the building.
Look, none of us truly know what is going to happen right now, but talking to Williams, I would not be shocked if the 49ers go with Quinnen Williams at #2.
So it’s quite possible Bosa will be there at three.
April 8, 2019
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