The 49ers hit a home run with defensive end Nick Bosa in the 2019 draft. Now they’re hoping for a similar standout rookie season from defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, the No. 14 overall pick in the 2020 draft.
His teammate Dre Greenlaw thinks Kinlaw has the tools to stand above the rest of the 2020 class.
“It’s going to be exciting to see his potential,” Greenlaw told reporters on a video conference call. “I know the way that Bosa came and really showed his talent, I think Kinlaw can do the same thing and very well may be the Defensive Rookie of the Year. I think he has that potential. I’m going to be excited to be behind him and get the chance to play with him.”
While a second consecutive DROY would be a huge win for San Francisco, Kinlaw’s road to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year is full of obstacles that Bosa didn’t encounter.
He opened at 25-to-1 to win the award, behind six other rookies, and tied with three other players per online betting site BetMGM.
Kinlaw’s relatively long odds have less to do with his ability and more to do with the position he plays. It’s very difficult to step in as a rookie at defensive tackle and make enough of an impact to garner DROY votes. The six players in front of him include Washington edge rusher Chase Young, Cardinals do-everything linebacker Isaiah Simmons, Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray, Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah and Jaguars edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. All six play more visible positions where counting stats are easier to rack up.
The opportunities for all of those players will likely be more abundant. Kinlaw joins a loaded defensive line where he won’t be given a full workload right away.
The good news for San Francisco is that they don’t need DROY production from the No. 14 pick. If he can be an effective run stopper who pushes he pocket and helps generate pressure, he’ll be a success in his first season.
Kinlaw can’t be entirely ruled out though. He’s a big, strong, athletic lineman who’ll be put in a position to showcase his skill set. There’s a world where he racks up 9.0 or 10 sacks on an elite 49ers defense and wins the award.
It’s not a failed year if he doesn’t though, because he can do what Greenlaw said and play at a high level out of the gate while just not racking up the counting stats voters typically rely on when it comes to DROY voting. The 49ers may not have back-to-back Defensive Rookie of the Year winners, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have back-to-back successful first-round picks on their defensive line.
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