The San Francisco 49ers selected former South Carolina defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw with the 14th pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
Kimlaw is a monster on the defensive line who’s just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. He made a living in the backfield in 2019 by using elite quickness and snap anticipation to penetrate the pocket on a snap-by-snap basis. He possesses a surprising amount of quickness for his size. Kinlaw is the type of special talent on the interior of the defensive line that has the ability to reset the line of scrimmage.
Kinlaw is a defensive tackle with the rare potential to post double-digit sacks annually.
Put the tape on, and it’s easy to see why one can foresee double-digit sack production in his future. In addition to his rare physical traits, Kinlaw has a deep arsenal of pass rush moves in his toolbox. He uses his massive hands and terrifying power to use a bull rush that pushed the pocket backwards on a consistent basis.
Kinlaw has big shoes to fill in the Bay area. In a roundabout way, Kinlaw was selected by the 49ers with the pick that San Francisco acquired from the trade that sent DeForest Buckner to the Colts.
The good news for Kinlaw is that he’s joining a team fresh off of a Super Bowl appearance, and an immensely talented defensive line that already featured Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead. With the right coaching, Kinlaw should reach his potential and become yet another terrifying piece on what’s already an elite defensive line.
Read our exclusive interview with Kinlaw here.
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