San Diego selected Joey Bosa at No. 3 overall, and they'd like to get him on the field right away. They need to upgrade their pass rush, and he was one of the draft's best players in that regard. Just 5 sacks at Ohio State last year, but 21 the two previous seasons.
Thus far, the Chargers haven't been able to get him signed. It's a little baffling; there's not a lot of wiggle room in rookie contracts nowadays. They're apparently haggling over offset language, and he's a holdout until that gets resolved. Most likely, he'll get signed soon, but a late start won't help him make an early impact.
Another possibility includes San Francisco rookie DeForest Buckner, drafted just 4 picks after Bosa. Shaq Lawson would also be in the discussion, were he not expected to miss the first part of the season after shoulder surgery.
Over the last 25 years, 40different rookies have put up at least 8 sacks in their first seasons, so basically 1-2 per year. Bosa or Buckner; one of those guys seems likeliest to join that group.
Rookies with 8 sacks since 1991 are presented below. The lone 2015 rookie to make the cut is in bold.
8-SACK ROOKIES, 1991-2015 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Sacks | Player, Team | Pos |
1999 | 14.5 | Jevon Kearse, Tenn. | DE |
2011 | 14.0 | Aldon Smith, S.F. | OLB |
2002 | 13.0 | Dwight Freeney, Ind. | DE |
1996 | 12.5 | Simeon Rice, Ariz. | DE |
2006 | 12.0 | Mark Anderson, Chi. | DE |
2003 | 12.0 | Terrell Suggs, Balt. | OLB |
2002 | 12.0 | Julius Peppers, Car. | DE |
1997 | 11.5 | Peter Boulware, Balt. | OLB |
2011 | 11.5 | Von Miller, Den. | OLB |
2009 | 11.0 | Brian Orakpo, Wash. | OLB |
2006 | 11.0 | Kamerion Wimbley, Clev. | OLB |
2000 | 11.0 | Darren Howard, N.O. | DE |
2003 | 10.5 | Kevin Williams, Minn. | DE |
1993 | 10.5 | Dana Stubblefield, S.F. | DT |
2010 | 10.0 | Ndamukong Suh, Det. | DT |
2009 | 10.0 | Clay Matthews, G.B. | OLB |
2005 | 10.0 | Shawne Merriman, S.D. | OLB |
1995 | 10.0 | Hugh Douglas, NYJ | DE |
1992 | 10.0 | Santana Dotson, T.B. | DT |
1992 | 10.0 | Chris Mims, S.D. | DE |
1991 | 10.0 | Mike Croel, Den. | OLB |
2010 | 9.5 | Carlos Dunlap, Cin. | DE |
2000 | 9.5 | Corey Simon, Phil. | DT |
2004 | 9.0 | Jared Allen, K.C. | DE |
2001 | 9.0 | Kendrell Bell, Pitt. | ILB |
1993 | 9.0 | Chris Slade, N.E. | OLB |
2014 | 9.0 | Aaron Donald, St.L. | DT |
2006 | 8.5 | Elvis Dumervil, Den. | DE |
2001 | 8.5 | Justin Smith, Cin. | DE |
2000 | 8.5 | Shaun Ellis, NYJ | DE |
2011 | 8.5 | Jabaal Sheard, Clev. | DE |
2015 | 8.0 | Preston Smith, Wash. | DE |
2013 | 8.0 | Ziggy Ansah, Det. | DE |
2012 | 8.0 | Bruce Irvin, Sea. | DE |
2006 | 8.0 | Tamba Hali, K.C. | DE |
2005 | 8.0 | DeMarcus Ware, Dall. | OLB |
2002 | 8.0 | Carlos Hall, Tenn. | DE |
2000 | 8.0 | Brian Urlacher, Chi. | MLB |
1998 | 8.0 | Lorenzo Bromell, Mia. | DE |
1998 | 8.0 | Vonnie Holliday, G.B. | DE |
--Andy Richardson