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NFL Draft results: Ohio State Edge Rusher Joey Bosa to the Chargers with the 3rd pick

The San Diego Chargers selected DL Joey Bosa from Ohio St. with the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He is expected to help the team with both their pass rush and run defense.

By Garrett Sisti
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Let's all take a moment and revel in the fact that the pick was NOT Ronnie Stanley.

The Chargers improved their Front 7 with the selection of Joey Bosa with the 3rd overall pick. Bosa was a hybrid Tackle/End at Ohio St. and has been one of the nation's best Edge Rushers for multiple years. Some of Bosa's accolades at his three year as a Buckeye include:

2013:

All American Honors

Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference

2014:

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

Defensive Lineman of the Year

Consensus All American

2015:

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

Consensus All American

Joey Bosa wins with strong hands, always keeping himself clean and generates power, all done at a high level. With the active hands and the ability to knock Offensive Lineman off balance with a bull rush, he also showed a strong swim move and counter. He is just as successful in the run game as he is as a pass rusher. He's also unselfish and will take on multiple blockers to help set up teammates.

Bosa probably has the highest floor of any pick in this draft, he can always rely on technique to win match-ups. His combination of power, technique, awareness and preparation are all NFL-ready and will translate into a difference-maker. Though most see a higher ceiling with other Defensive Lineman in this draft, Bosa still hasn't reached his full potential.

Bosa is not an Outside Linebacker. Now we can move on. He does not possess the flexibility to bend the edge, not to mention he's always played with his hand in the ground so standing him up on edge does him no good. Also, he shouldn't be asked to drop back in coverage. If the Chargers put Joey Bosa as an Outside Linebacker they've pretty much wasted the pick. Bosa can play Defensive End in the NFL whether it's a 3 or 4 man front. He has the strength, technique and pass rush arsenal today to win against Guards and could play as a 3 or 5 technique depending on the package. Bosa weighed in 6'5/269 at the combine and rumor has it he's up near 275 now. That may be a little light in the pants for a traditional 3-4 Defensive End but his frame is not maxed out and he could benefit by adding 10-15 pounds.

Though he does have some desirable traits, Bosa is not perfect. He doesn't possess that initial burst off the line and has shown he'll check out if plays aren't ran to his side. He's not a guy that will chase ball carriers from behind downfield. As I mentioned earlier, he isn't an ideal fit today in the Chargers base 3-4 but he can grow into that role.

ProFootballFocus ranks him:

Now, let's marvel in some highlights of the newest San Diego Charger Joey Bosa:

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