Everything you need to know about Nick Bosa from the 2019 NFL Combine

It feels like this moment has been coming for a very long time. Nick Bosa is about to be one of first picks — if not the first pick — in the 2019 NFL Draft. The expectation of this Bosa topping his draft class has been building since even before his older brother Joey went third overall to the then-San Diego Chargers.

Despite the fact that we are essentially exactly where we all anticipated being, it wasn’t the easiest road for Nick. Looking to cement his legacy in Ohio State history, the younger Bosa entered the season with expectations of a dominating third year in Columbus before foregoing his senior season to turn pro.

However, against TCU in the third game of the 2018 season, Bosa went down with what was later described as a core muscle injury, which required surgery. Since the injury and subsequent operation require weeks and months of rest and delicate rehabilitation, Bosa opted to withdraw from Ohio State in order to recuperate at home, and to then live and train with his older brother.

The interesting thing is that if Bosa hadn’t gotten hurt against TCU, he probably would have had no reason to participate in most of the on-field drills at the combine. Instead, after telling the media in Indianapolis that he feels as good as he ever has, Bosa will be performing and competing on Sunday in order to prove that he is back and there are no lingering issues following his injury.

Scouting Report

Here’s what the pros are saying in his NFL Combine Scouting Report:

Overview

High-motor defensive end prospect possessing NFL play strength on a well-muscled, compact frame. Bosa uses forward lean, smart hands and impressive upper-body power to pry open edges against the run and pass. He can defeat single blocks and fits as an end in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts with the ability to reduce inside as a rusher. His lack of fluidity in space could prevent him from becoming an elite rusher, but he understands how to play and should become an early starter and future Pro Bowler.

Strengths

Sawed-off frame with Venice Beach musculation throughout

Never skips leg days at the gym

Comes out with low pads and powerful leg drive to grind through the blocker’s edge

Rare play strength to eat double teams like a nose tackle

Able to crank up jarring initial punch

Has hand strength and core power for effective read-and-react

Able to press and extend and discard along the edge

Primary focus is on ball, not blocker

Doesn’t stay engaged for very long

Active hands never linger and are in constant motion

Difficult for tackles to punch, center, and mirror

Uses effective, accurate hands and body lean to slither around the edge

Can switch gears into power bully when needed

Ankle flexion to dip and flatten sharply to the quarterback as edge rusher

Has experience as reduced rusher in sub-packages from earlier in career

Weaknesses

Not as naturally fluid as his brother, Joey

Tightly bundled through his hips

Upfield attack can be a little rigid

Counter rush moves based on effort over skill

Gets too straight-legged through engagement

Can bend, but doesn’t play with leveraged anchor vs

kick-outs and down blocks

Disappointing tackle production

Needs earlier disengage to combat average lateral twitch to tackle

Heavy pursuit feet and sluggish change of direction limit range as tackler

Needs to be quicker in finding the football

Missed most of 2018 with core muscle injury

Measurements

• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 266 lbs.
• Hand size: 10 3/4”
• Arm length: 33”

Combine Results

Bench press: 29 reps

40-yard dash: 4.79 official

Vertical jump:

Broad jump:

20-yard Shuttle:

Position drills:

Interview Notables and Quotables

courtesy of LGHL’s Alexis Chassen

Draft Projection

Nick Bosa, without a doubt, will be one of the first players taken. If the draft was run solely on talent and potential, it’s possible that he would be the only player in the discussion. However, because of the importance of the quarterback position, Bosa might be jumped by Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray or his Ohio State teammate Dwayne Haskins. However, barring an unforeseen injury, it is unfathomable to imagine that he won’t go in the top five, and more likely the top three.