Leonard Floyd was one of the key free-agent pickups for the San Francisco 49ers during the offseason, with the 31-year-old expected to fill the void left by the departure of defensive end Chase Young, serving as a productive bookend opposite All-Pro Nick Bosa on the defensive line.
Given Floyd's impressive consistency over the course of the last four seasons—he's one of just three players in the NFL to average at least nine sacks or more during that span—it would come across as a little surprising to hear his physical build come into question at this point of his career. But, nonetheless, that was the topic of note when Bosa took the podium to speak with the media following Tuesday's practice.
Here was the initial question posed to Bosa regarding the eight-year veteran.
"When he's [Floyd] out there in his shorts and with his shirt cut off, and you see how thin he looks, he looks almost like a basketball player. How does he hold leverage? What's your observation on how he survives, not only survives but thrives, with that kind of build?"
Bosa, clearly amused by the question, answered in his signature laid back, sleepy tone, beginning with a where-have-you-been type of response.
"Uh, have you seen him up close?" Bosa asked with a laugh. "He's pretty built. He's about 245 [pounds], shredded, probably like five percent body fat and he can run. So I think he'll be just fine in this scheme and he's proved that he could rush the passer. So, it's good to have him."
"Have you seen him?" 😳
Nick Bosa is impressed by fellow physical specimen Leonard Floyd pic.twitter.com/n3xD20iGeg
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 6, 2024
Take one look at the imposing 6-foot-6 Floyd playing without sleeves for the Buffalo Bills last season and it's probably safe to say that Bosa's astute body fat observation was more or less right on the money.
Considering Floyd's aforementioned output over the past four years, which also includes an average of 19.5 quarterback hits, one has to imagine those numbers will be more than sustainable in San Francisco with Bosa requiring all kinds of extra attention on the opposite side, not to mention defensive tackle Javon Hargrave wreaking some havoc of his own up the middle.
In light of everything going on with the 49ers at the moment, from the ever-changing Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors to Christian McCaffrey's calf injury, the physical build of Leonard Floyd has to be close to dead last on Kyle Shanahan's growing list of player concerns.
