SAN DIEGO -- While the San Diego Chargers and Joey Bosa's representation spar over the structure of his rookie deal so the Ohio State product can report to camp on time, let’s take a moment to examine his impact on the field.
Selected No. 3 overall by the Chargers in this year’s draft, Bosa was the first defensive player off the board, which has not necessarily been a good thing for NFL teams the past five years.
The list of the top defensive players selected in the past five drafts includes Dante Fowler Jr., Jadeveon Clowney, Dion Jordan and Morris Claiborne, all players who have failed to make a major impact on the field.
However, the Chargers believe Bosa will buck that trend. He finished with 50.5 tackles for loss, 26 sacks and five forced fumbles in 41 games at Ohio State, so he was an impact player defensively for the Buckeyes. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Bosa had 101 total pressures the past two seasons, the most by any Power 5 conference player.
The Chargers totaled 58 sacks the past two seasons, second-fewest in the NFL (the Falcons had 41). Per ESPN Stats & Information, San Diego recorded 13 sacks when sending four or fewer rushers last season, tied for second-fewest in the NFL.
Although Bosa will be hard-pressed to total double-digit sacks his rookie season, at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, he adds a versatile pass-rusher to San Diego’s defensive front seven, and he should help the Chargers create mismatches with the rest of his teammates.
"He’s a great football player, and we were excited to get him," Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano said. "He’s someone who can help us go win games, and that’s all that matters.
"He’s here, and he fits. He’s someone we had our eye on the entire time. And he’s one of 11 players on our defense that can make plays, and we need him to come in and do that for us."
The clock is ticking for Bosa to arrive to camp on time. A lot is riding on this season for the Chargers, including a potential new stadium deal. Bosa will be counted on to be a major factor on a young and revamped defense. Maybe this is not the time for San Diego’s front office to haggle over contract language for a player they coveted since September of last year.