49ers Nick Bosa Ranked NFL Fourth-Best Edge Defender by PFF

Nick Bosa, a key player for the San Francisco 49ers, experienced a down season in 2024 with 9.5 sacks, his lowest outside his rookie year, but remains ranked as the NFL's fourth-best edge defender by Pro Football Focus (PFF). Bosa excels in pass-rush win rate and total pressures but struggles to finish plays consistently, especially against mobile quarterbacks, which has led the 49ers to draft rookie Mykel Williams to complement him by containing quarterbacks in the pocket. Williams, selected 11th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, has benefited from mentorship by Bosa and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who has tailored the defense to Williams' strengths as both a pass rusher and run stopper. The 49ers improved their defensive line depth in the 2025 Draft, also adding interior linemen Alfred Collins and CJ West to address pass-rush struggles. Meanwhile, other edge rushers like Los Angeles Rams rookie Jared Verse and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Yaya Diaby are emerging as notable players, with Verse ranked eighth and Diaby at 24th among edge defenders by PFF, highlighting a competitive field of rising talent in the NFL. Williams' presence is expected to create more one-on-one opportunities for Bosa, potentially boosting the 49ers' pass rush effectiveness in the upcoming season.