The pick is in. Following a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the San Francisco 49ers have selected defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw the the 14th-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The South Carolina product earned first-team Associated Press All-America and first-team All-SEC honors as a senior following a dominant 2019 season. In his final season as a Gamecock, the defensive tackle registered 35 tackles and six sacks in 12 starts.
Analysis from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: "For a player with so many elite physical traits, Kinlaw's tape was much more inconsistent than expected. He had moments where he was able to use his size, length and power to overwhelm opponents, but poor pad level and an inability to harness his energy coming off the snap led to body control and balance issues that prevented him from reaching his full potential. He can be a disruptive force along the interior with that explosive first step and freaky physical gifts, but utilizing his heavy hands and plus length as a read-and-react 3-4 end might allow for improved technique, control and consistency. No matter the front, Kinlaw's traits and potential could make him a solid starter early in his career."
