What Nick Bosa Likes about Randy Gregory

For the first time since the 49ers drafted Nick Bosa in 2019, the 49ers finally may have found an edge rusher to complement him.

First they tried Dee Ford, but he couldn't stay healthy. Then they tried Samson Ebukam, but he was a better run defender than pass rusher. Then they tried Drake Jackson, but he was too raw. And then they traded for Randy Gregory.

Gregory made his 49ers debut Sunday in their loss to the Browns, and recorded 1 sacks and three quarterback hits in just 26 snaps. Bosa took notice.

"Playmaking ability," Bosa explained. "Length. Physicality. Everything we like. Just a nose for making plays and getting sacks. He's a really good dude. I'm glad he's here. He showed up, made a lot of plays and we're excited to get him a good week of practice and get him truly in the scheme."

The scheme part is important. Gregory played only 26 snaps because he doesn't know the 49ers' full defensive scheme yet. Doesn't know how he's supposed to defend the run on first down and second down. So they play him when it's a clear passing down. Once he learns the scheme and masters his run fits and how to set the edge in the 49ers' wide-9 defense, he'll play much more.

Last week against the Browns, the 49ers couldn't set the edges of their run defense, and as a result gave up 160 rushing yards on the ground. Perhaps Gregory could have helped if he knew the scheme.

"Teams are going to copy each other in this league," Bosa said, "so we need to put out those plays when we can. We didn't last week, and that's what happens when you don't set an edge to a defense."