The 49ers’ 2019 draft class will need to be among the NFL’s most impactful if the team is going to make its way back to the playoffs this season. They made eight picks in the draft, with all eight potentially having a significant role on the 53-man roster. Their first two picks could be the most impactful though. Both defensive end Nick Bosa and wide receiver Deebo Samuel landed in an NFL.com list of 25 rookies in the best position to succeed in their first season.
Bosa came in at No. 3 on the list behind Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver, and Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. All three are among five listed as Rookie of the Year contenders.
For the 49ers’ defensive end, it’s all about fit and the pieces around him. Dan Parr, who authored the piece, noted how lucky San Francisco was to have the draft’s best player fall to them at the No. 2 pick:
This franchise has invested mightily in its defensive line in recent years, but it still had a huge need for an edge defender. Enter Bosa! Many had him pegged as the best player in the draft. Congrats, Niners, on things working out perfectly for you. It’s not like teams can just focus on taking Bosa away with DeForest Buckner and Dee Ford on the line with him (although he will have to share the spotlight/production with them).
Bosa was the best player available and fit the 49ers’ most glaring need at defensive end, which still existed even after acquiring Ford via trade. There was talk before the draft that San Francisco might trade down or take Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams at No. 2 instead. They went the most logical route though and wound up with a Rookie of the Year candidate with Defensive Player of the Year potential.
The key for Bosa will be whether he can stay healthy and be on the field for all three downs. His floor as a prospect is still pretty high, so he should have a productive year even if he doesn’t win Rookie of the Year honors. San Francisco would surely take a disruptive pass rusher who helps turn their defense around regardless of the hardware he earns.
Second-round pick Deebo Samuel also lands on the list at No. 23, under the ‘Don’t sleep on ’em’ category. This is to say that Samuel can’t be forgotten about in a pretty talented draft class – especially at receiver.
Parr notes that all of Samuel’s strengths perfectly fit what head coach Kyle Shanahan will ask him to do on offense:
It’s easy to envision the tough Samuel shaking off arm tackles on his way to turning a catch off a screen pass into a long gain, although he can certainly make things happen at every level of the defense. As long as he stays healthy, Deebo and Kyle Shanahan’s offense will go down as a perfect second-round marriage.
A plethora of weapons may keep Samuel from ever being a 100-catch receiver. However, he should still have plenty of opportunities to be productive in all areas of the field. His ability to get open in short spaces should quickly make him a favorite target for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, especially on third down and down near the goal line.
Samuel has all the tools to be a highly productive receiver in the NFL, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him come out on fire in Year 1, especially if San Francisco has injuries at receiver like they did a season ago.
The 49ers will need contributions from more than just two players in their draft class, but if Bosa and Samuel quickly make names for themselves in the NFL, their team will be in great shape to make a big jump from last year’s four-win season.
About the Author: Insidethe49
