EAGAN, Minn. — This time next year, Nick Bosa could be the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player.
That assumes this season goes according to plan: Lead the 49ers defense back to the playoffs and perhaps Super Bowl LVII.
To get there, Bosa already has a quality supporting cast on defense, including a dose of newcomers that are rapidly gaining his endorsement.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward was the 49ers’ biggest offseason hire, but Bosa is digging who else has come aboard and is showing their worth. By the way, Bosa is slated to make $17.9 million next season on a fifth-year option, so the 49ers are budgeting for an extension that is expected to come after this season.
After Wednesday’s joint practice with the host Vikings and ahead of Thursday’s session, here is what Bosa said about some key additions to the lineup:
Pass rusher Kemoko Turay
Background: Turay, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, could line up opposite Bosa and is challenging for that spot with returning veterans Samson Ebukam, Jordan Willis, and, Charles Omenihu, as well as Drake Jackson, a second-round pick who drew praise from Bosa earlier in camp.
Bosa: “I actually was flipping through the channels in my hotel room and our game was on. (Turay) popped off on the TV copy, definitely. He’s shown that he plays our style of football and that he’s a “game” player. Not that he doesn’t show up in practice, but when the lights come on, he shows up even more. That’s something you can’t really teach, and he’s got that.
“I’m talking effort and motor for a guy who you would think is lighter and smaller, but you walk up to him and he’s 6-5, 260 and he can run like that. I remember watching him with the Colts and being impressed. The fact he got out of the Colts somehow and we got him, it’s definitely a good position.”
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw
Background: He’s not exactly new to the team, but the 2020 first-round pick only played four games last season before requiring anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction:
Bosa: “He brings an intimidation factor, for sure. I saw a really good rep from him (Wednesday) that I was happy to see. Most of the time I can’t see because I’m in there. He’s got everything you could possibly need to be super dominant in this league. He just needs some reps to get used to it. I’m just glad he’s feeling good. (Wednesday) he just smashed through a guy and knocked him into the quarterback. That’s good to see.”
#49ers Javon Kinlaw with a big time pancake 🥞 pic.twitter.com/2r4ifSZTYg
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) August 17, 2022
Defensive lineman Kerry Hyder Jr.
Background: Hyder had a career-high 8 1/2 sacks in 2020 for the 49ers and returns after just 1 1/2 sacks last season for the Seattle Seahawks.
Bosa: “Kerry is the ultimate pro. A lot of guys start fast and then whither down through camp. He’s the guy who keeps climbing and getting better. He’s another guy who is a gamer, who shows up on game days and knows how to beat starting tackles in the league. He’ll be on the team, and he’ll be a really good veteran piece for us.”
Defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway
Background: When it comes to super-sized run stuffers, the 49ers hired Ridgeway, formerly of the Colts and Eagles, to replace D.J. Jones, who left in free agency for the Broncos.
“He’s really important to our D-line. Having him healthy is important. He took his time with his quad (an injury that kept him out nearly two weeks) and I’m happy he took his time. He looks as good as he did at the beginning of camp. He’s going to be a really important piece since we lost D.J.”
Cornerback Sam Womack III
Background: This rookie’s two interceptions in Friday’s preseason opener validated the 49ers’ faith in him as their new nickel back and prompted the release of Darqueze Dennard.
“He’s always on the phone so I don’t have a good read on him. I don’t know if it’s his girlfriend or what, but the guy never gets off his phone. (Laughing.) Nah, he’s nice. I’ve had a couple of chats with him. I told him to get off his phone. But he can play, for sure, and we need guys who can play.”
BONUS QUOTE
Quarterback Trey Lance
Background: Obviously, Lance is the biggest change to the 49ers’ lineup, and even though he won’t be Bosa’s defensive teammate, his success or failures will impact the field position and flow of games. Lance was the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, and if anyone can relate to the pressure of being a high selection, it’s Bosa, who was No. 2 overall in 2019.
Bosa: “He’s kind of natural with it, even the first day he was in the building, just really personable and hard not to like. Just really nice. Just really engaging with everybody, no matter who you are on the team, which is really cool coming from a top pick andnow the starting quarterback. Just an amazing kid from a really good family. He’s got Trent Williams and George Kittle and a lot of veterans around him to help him along with the leadership. Once he starts playing well, it will come naturally.”
Source: www.mercurynews.com