San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has started his offseason homework on one upcoming opponent — offensive tackle and teammate Trent Williams. The 22-year-old pass rusher wants to be prepared whenever he is allowed to take on the 6-foot-5 and 320-pound offensive lineman in practice. Who knows when that will happen, though?
While this would typically be the time when players are getting together for minicamps, team facilities remain closed, and practices aren't happening amid coronavirus concerns.
Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek has been cutting up film of opposing tackles for Bosa and the other defensive linemen to study on their iPads.
"I've started looking at some film of some guys already," Bosa said. "Even a little bit of film of Trent, just so I'm not caught off guard when camp rolls around."
Figuring out a way to get past Williams will be key to Bosa's development as he prepares to enter his second NFL season.
"He's a really good athlete," Bosa added. "I think the biggest thing that stands out is his athleticism and his feet. He's able to recover. I think I saw a rep where somebody spun on him, and he got beat. But just the way he moves his feet, he has feet like a receiver. He just moves his feet so well, and just stays in front of guys. Obviously, he's massive, so it's tough to power him.
"But yeah, he's definitely one of the best in the league, so it will be fun to practice against him."
Bosa was probably getting used to going against Joe Staley during practices. The 13-year veteran announced his retirement on April 25. Staley recently named his former teammate, Bosa, among the toughest defenders he's faced during his illustrious career, and he only had to practice against him for one season.
Bosa said he and Staley would talk after each practice to discuss what each saw and what the then-rookie could work on to get better.
"I think just going against him and the input he gave me every day just helped me a lot," Bosa said of Staley. "I really wish he was coming back, but I know it's a decision he was kind of forced into. I just wish we had gotten him a ring, but it doesn't happen perfectly all the time. But we'll win one for him, hopefully, in the future."
Staley wasn't the only offseason loss for the 49ers. Bosa won't have defensive tackle DeForest Buckner plugging up the middle and taking on double teams this season.
"Buck was definitely one of my best friends on the team," Bosa said, "and seeing him go is obviously bittersweet. He obviously got a pretty good contract, and he deserves it, but just losing him as a leader, we're going to have to really figure out how to step up and fill that void because he was the third-down D-line play-caller. He was the hype speech guy. He was everything.
"And I think he played with the best effort on the D-line, which really shows on tape when you see somebody that big sprinting to the ball every play and making those tackles downfield. And obviously his pass-rush ability. We're gonna have to step up."
The 49ers drafted to ensure that the defensive front remains as dominant as last season. The team used its first of two first-round selections to acquire defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw of South Carolina, a move that will hopefully mitigate the loss of Buckner.
"I didn't watch too much of South Carolina until, obviously, I started hearing that he might be a pick for us, and then I started to watch some of him," Bosa said of Kinlaw. "He just embodies what we do as a D-line. Just the way he plays the run. He's just a beast. He plays the run like we play it. He gets off the ball really fast, and he's just a giant human. Perfect to replace Buckner.
"I'm really excited. He seems like a good dude, and I've been talking to him a little bit, so I can't wait."
