With The First Pick
Fansided

Championship Sunday: Each remaining NFL team relying on key rookies

By Nicholas McGee

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Nick Bosa #97 and Kwon Alexander #56 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after a sack during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Nick Bosa #97 and Kwon Alexander #56 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after a sack during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 11: Nick Bosa #97 and Kwon Alexander #56 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after a sack during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 11: Nick Bosa #97 and Kwon Alexander #56 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after a sack during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have the strongest claim for the best rookie class of 2019. Nick Bosa was named Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America after a superb first season for the former Ohio State pass rusher.

Bosa’s addition to a ferocious Niners front four has helped transform the San Francisco defense, while second-round pick Deebo Samuel is an integral part of Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

Samuel’s versatility and ability to pick up yardage after the catch have made his transition into the Niners attack an easy one. He has the complete trust of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and, following a rookie year in which he racked up 961 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns in the regular season, Samuel appears destined to spend his career tormenting NFL defenses.

The biggest surprise from the Niners’ group of rookies is fifth-round pick Dre Greenlaw. He started 2019 at the bottom of the linebacker depth chart but has thrived since Kwon Alexander’s torn pectoral saw him thrust into the starting lineup and made the most crucial play of San Francisco’s season when he stopped Seattle Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister on the goal-line to seal homefield advantage in the playoffs.

Fourth-round punter Mitch Wishnowsky ranked in the top 10 in punts downed inside the 20 in the regular season and sixth-rounder Justin Skule filled in admirably in the first half of the season when Joe Staley was out through injury, proving himself a valuable swing tackle.

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The 49ers’ 2019 rookie class has made a substantial contribution to their success and, if they lift the Lombardi Trophy on February 2, the picks they made last April will be a massive reason why.

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