SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- As one could expect, the San Francisco 49ers using the second pick in the NFL draft on defensive end Nick Bosa came with all the usual platitudes. Yes, he was viewed as one of the best players in the draft. Indeed, they viewed him as a good fit in their locker room. Of course, they expect him to be a foundational piece for the short- and long-term future.
But selecting Bosa less than two months after trading for and signing Dee Ford is about much more than simply drafting the player the Niners coveted most.