The 49ers went into the 2020 NFL draft with a purpose. They turned limited draft capital into five selections that all filled needs and easy-to-envision roles as rookies.
It won’t be easy to replicate last year’s success, but their draft class should give them an opportunity to do so with a relatively similar roster.
Here’s what kind of role each of the 49ers’ five 2020 NFL draft picks should have in their rookie seasons:
DL Javon Kinlaw
There’d be no drop off between Kinlaw and DeForest Buckner in an ideal world. The reality is Kinlaw likely won’t step in and play at an All-Pro level. However, the No. 14 overall pick will be tasked with stepping into the role largely occupied by Buckner on the defensive front. He’ll hold up blockers in the run game and collapse the middle of the pocket as a pass rusher. Whether he can play almost 80 percent of the snaps remains to be seen, but he’ll be tasked to carry a heavy load along the interior of the defensive line right away.