Top 100 NFL players entering the 2020 season: Nos. 60-51

54. Nick Bosa, DE, San Francisco 49ers

Bosa set himself apart as a potential generational talent last season. The second overall pick won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and made the Pro Bowl. He became the most dominant force on San Francisco’s sturdy defensive front. With DeForest Buckner heading to Indianapolis, Bosa must assume an even larger role this coming season.

After not starting the first two weeks, Bosa took over as one of San Francisco’s starters in Week 3. From there, things progressed quickly and somewhat unevenly. Between Weeks 5 and 8, Bosa amassed six of his nine regular-season sacks. The rookie tortured quarterbacks, recording 25 quarterback hits and 45 pressures. Bosa’s four postseason sacks were possibly his greatest contribution.

At 6-4, 266 pounds, Bosa possesses incredible speed and agility. On an aging 49ers defense, he is San Francisco’s hope for the future.

53. Eric Kendricks, MLB, Minnesota Vikings

Kendricks flashed immense potential during his first four seasons with the Vikings, but the UCLA product didn’t have a breakout campaign until 2019. After never making the Pro Bowl or earning an All-Pro nod in the past, Kendricks received both. The AP and PFF gave him First-Team All-Pro honors.

Kendricks finished the season with 110 tackles, 12 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. What set the young linebacker apart from his peers was his insane play in pass coverage. PFF’s Ben Linsey raved about Kendricks’ disruptive capabilities in coverage,

"Kendricks’ coverage numbers in 2019 are absurd. The 90.0 coverage grade that ranked second at the linebacker position is one thing, but his forced incompletion numbers are another thing altogether."

The 28-year-old linebacker even put together a coverage grade on par with defensive backs,

"He forced an incompletion on over 20% of his targets. Only five other players with 50 or more targets did that regardless of position, and they were all cornerbacks."

We’ll see if Kendricks can carry his miraculous production into 2020.