49ers' Nick Bosa on pace to snap NFL single-season rookie sacks record

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From the moment it became clear the Cardinals would take quarterback Kyler Murray with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the 49ers were locked in on their selection. Nick Bosa was their man, and through seven games, the rookie defensive end is showing why San Francisco never doubted the choice. 

Bosa is rewriting the history books his first year in the league.

The former Ohio State standout recorded three sacks, four tackles -- three for loss -- and an interception Sunday in the 49ers' 51-13 blowout win over the Panthers. He became the third 49ers rookie ever to have three sacks in one game. Troy Wilson was the last to do so, nearly 26 years ago on Oct. 31, 1993.

The question now is, can Bosa break the NFL's single-season rookie sacks record? So far, he's well on his way. 

As Kyle Madson of Niners Wire pointed out Monday, Bosa's seven sacks are a half-sack behind Mark Anderson's 7.5 in 2006 for the most sacks by a rookie through their first seven career games, since the stat became official in 1982. 

Anderson finished his rookie campaign with 12 sacks, which are two behind Jevon Kearse's record of 14 in 1999. Bosa seems well within reach of catching Kearse, though. Time and time again, Bosa barely missed finishing sacks at the start of the season. That problem now is in his rear-view mirror. 

Bosa leads the NFL with 11 tackles for loss this season and already has 13 QB hits -- Anderson finished his rookie year with nine tackles for loss and nine QB hits. Bosa has been a wrecking ball getting into the backfield, causing chaos for opposing quarterbacks. Don't expect that to stop anytime soon.

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[RELATED: How Nick Bosa, brother Joey made NFL history]

As the latest member of the 49ers' dominant defensive line full of former first-round draft picks, Bosa is leading the way. San Francisco ranks fourth in the league as a team with 27 sacks this season, and Bosa's seven sacks are tied for the fourth-most by a player this year as well. 

If Bosa stays healthy, more sacks surely are in his future. A lot more. Maybe even at least seven more.

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