Bosa’s comeback could dictate 2021 fate
Long story short, here are some hot topics as the 49ers finalize their draft preparations: BUZZING ABOUT BOSA >> All due respect to the 49ers’ quarterback and draft drama but the No. 1 factor for a playoff return: Nick Bosa, 2021 NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidate.
Teammates are buzzing about
Bosa, seven months since a torn anterior cruciate ligament ruined his sophomore season and instantly cratered the 49ers’ hopes. His return will be a welcome and necessary sideshow.
Cornerback Jason Verrett dropped Bosa’s name this week while noting “with everybody healthy, I feel we can be a dominant defense again.”
Defensive tackle D.J. Jones also was raving about the 49ers’ potential when he recently offered this closing line: “Bosa’s coming back, so I’m excited.” Cornerback K’Waun Williams’ media session also brought up Bosa, so just know the 49ers are hoping this ACL comeback leads to a Super Bowl the way Jimmy Garoppolo’s return did in 2019.
Bosa’s rehabilitation is apparently A-OK, and he looked A++ in a Thursday morning Instagram post of him sprinting and pulling a weighted sled. The brunt of his rehab took place in Orange County before he headed home to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. It’s unknown how involved he’ll be in the 49ers’ off
season program that opens April 19, nor is there word if on-field activities will resume based on COVID-19 vaccination rates.
As for the AP Comeback Player of the Year award, former 49er Bryant Young (1999) is one of only four defenders to win that honor since 1998. Alex Smith was the third straight quarterback to win it last year, and Jimmy Garoppolo could contend with Bosa this year. Other candidates: Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Joe Burrow (Bengals), Christian McCaffrey (Panthers), Saquon Barkley (Giants), Odell Beckham Jr. (Browns), and Von Miller (Broncos).
ART OF DECEPTION >> It’s been only two years since the 49ers pulled the ol’ Alabama-or-Ohio State switcheroo. Some expected them to draft Quinnen Williams but they chose Bosa, who won defensive rookie of the year honors.
This year, déjà vu is setting
in with so many draft prognosticators bellowing how the 49ers will take Alabama’s Mac Jones over Ohio State’s Justin Fields. North Dakota State’s Trey Lance is the sneaky third option, similar to the 2019 projected pairing of the 49ers and then-Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen.
A day before attending Jones’ pro day, Kyle Shanahan noted that he “doesn’t have to hide as much” now that the 49ers moved up from No. 12 to the draft’s No. 3 spot. Keep an eye out April 14, then, as he and John Lynch are expected at Ohio State’s second pro day. SHERMAN THE SCOUT >> Count Richard Sherman in the Fields-to-the-49ers camp.
“He’s one of if not the most efficient quarterbacks in the draft,” Sherman said on his weekly podcast with Cris Collinsworth. “He was completing I think 70 percent of his passes, and he has similarities to what Jimmy (Garoppolo) does.”
Sherman, by the way, saw in person as Fields won MVP honors at the 2017 Elite 11 competition. Still,
Sherman is pegging Garoppolo as the 49ers’ seasonopening starter because of their “Super Bowl-capable roster, which is obvious, and he’s already taken them to a Super Bowl.”
Sherman remains unsigned after three seasons on the 49ers, and he expects to stay that way until after the draft. Don’t look for him to fire his agent; he represents himself.
VERRETT’S ENTICING ENCORE >> The entire NFC West, not just the 49ers’ familiar secondary, offers Verrett a perfect path toward more respect (and more money in 2022). “The more competition we can have in our division, it’s going to be better off for us as players,” said Verrett, who re-signed last month on a one-year, $5.5 million deal.
Look around now: A.J. Green has partnered with DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona; Seattle extended Tyler Lockett’s deal to solidify a terrific tandem with DK Metcalf; DeSean Jackson headed home to Los Angeles to catch passes from Matthew Stafford and complement
Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.
“It’s another way I can go dominate and be the best guy I can be for the team, (by) going against some of the top guys in the league,” said Verrett, who finally stayed healthy last year and played well in tough matchups, especially a December duel with Hopkins. WELL-BALANCED ROSTER >> Yes, the 49ers will have a 21- or 22-year-old quarterback arriving by month’s end, but he won’t be coming to a young, rebuilding team like most top draft picks. There’s an admirable blend of rising stars (Bosa, George Kittle, Fred Warner, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk) and proven veterans, with no obvious candidates for 2022 retirement.
Verrett noted that he, nickel back K’Waun Williams and Jimmie Ward all turn 30 this summer and all were in the 2014 draft. Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt turned 31 earlier this year, so it’s a sage unit to help shepherd a young cornerback such as Emmanuel Moseley, 25, or a draft pick.