Fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, the San Francisco 49ers were lucky to have positioned themselves to score a high draft pick in the loaded 2020 draft class. The team used the valuable 14th overall pick to select South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
The 22-year old rookie compared the collegiate competition to the pro ranks as he participates in his first training camp with the 49ers:
“I’ve probably all my life been the biggest guy. So that’s nothing new,” Kinlaw said, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News. “But honestly, coming in, I thought I’d be like another guy. Then I look around and, dang, I’m the biggest. But just because I’m big, it doesn’t mean anything. Everybody’s strong and big, so it’s all about technique for me now.”
Kinlaw recently concluded a three-year run with the South Carolina Gamecocks which saw him earn a first-team All-SEC inclusion in 2019. High expectations are immediately set on the rookie as he is expected to fill in the shoes left by former starter DeForest Buckner who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts during the offseason.
He will join a formidable 49ers defensive line consisting of veteran defensive tackle Arik Armstead, 2018 Pro Bowl linebacker Dee Ford, and 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa.
The group will continue to backstop the San Francisco-based team who still has aspirations to return to the Super Bowl stage in the upcoming season. The 2020 season will see if Kinlaw will live up to the hype and provide an instant impact for the 49ers.
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