2020 NFL Draft: Grades for all 32 first-round picks
South Carolina. Javon Kinlaw. 42. Pick Analysis. Defensive Tackle. player. Scouting Report. 14
Grade: C
Seriously? The San Francisco 49ers traded away DeForest Buckner to draft Javon Kinlaw? I get that the financials played a big part in the decision, but there’s no reason to give up a dominant player in hopes that a rookie can replace his production.
Plus, it’s not like the 49ers don’t have plenty of additional talent along the offensive line. Players like Jeudy and Lamb were still on the board, but San Francisco decided to go with a quality defensive lineman with a heartwarming story. That’s wonderful, but it won’t win you football games.
I’m all for building culture around hardworking players with a story to root for. And yet, drafting Kinlaw was not the way to go here. The 49ers had others needs to address if they wanted to get to the Super Bowl again, and drafting a defensive tackle wasn’t the way to do it.
I know San Francisco fans trust in John Lynch, but this was a miss.