San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive end Nick Bosa has looked impressive during recent practices of training camp. He is proving to be a force to block, even for a veteran like tackle Joe Staley and a talented second-year tackle in Mike McGlinchey. Bosa had two would-be sacks while going against them during Friday's practice.
General manager John Lynch on Saturday joined "Inside Training Camp Live" on NFL Network and discussed the impactful Bosa, whom the 49ers used the No. 2 overall pick to acquire.
"I think 'impact' is the right word, and he's been consistently doing that since he's been here," Lynch said. "And it just keeps getting better. That's encouraging. He's a really good football player, and he's polished. A lot of guys, even if you pick them at two, there's a getting-used-to period, but he's such a polished football player. He's giving them fits already.
"It's fun to see a guy like Joe Staley really take to him, and they've been working together. Joe's learning from him, he's learning from Joe, McGlinchey. It's making everybody better."
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Bosa is just part of the defensive line upgrade the 49ers underwent this offseason. They also brought in pass rusher Dee Ford, giving the team talented bookends which can occupy offensive linemen and hopefully free up others like defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. The 49ers also have Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas along that defensive front. All five of those players are former first-round picks.
San Francisco has experimented with moving defensive linemen around. While Bosa is expected to primarily play on the edge, Lynch said he is capable of anything.
"I think that's what's fun," Lynch continued. "We've got some pieces we can move around. DeForest Buckner, at times, played some defensive end last year. He can do that. Armstead's a guy that can go in and out. Solomon Thomas can do that."
There is one exception.
"Dee Ford, we'll keep him on the edge," Lynch added while laughing. "He's really good there. But it is fun. We have some interchangeable parts. We've got a lot of resources in that defensive front, and they have to be a force to be reckoned with week in, week out. We expect them to be that."