Niner Noise
FanSided

2020 NFL Draft: 32-pick Round 1 mock with 49ers selecting twice

By Peter Panacy

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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South Carolina Gamecocks
Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina Gamecocks (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

player. 850. . Defensive Tackle. Gamecocks . Javon Kinlaw. 7

The Carolina Panthers essentially need to upgrade almost every single position on the defensive side of the ball, particularly after losing linebacker Luke Kuechly to retirement and cornerback James Bradberry to free agency. Parting ways with safety Eric Reid also opens up another void in the secondary, too.

Again, though, smart teams elect to build through the trenches, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to find someone to pair with defensive tackle Kawann Short, opening up more edge-rushing opportunities for EDGE Brian Burns.

There aren’t any better interior defenders in this year’s NFL Draft than South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, who has all the tools to be a mauling presence on the inside.

He’s far more than just a run stopper with some pass-rushing upside. While he doesn’t project to be the next version of the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald, there’s no reason to suspect Kinlaw will be anything but a highly disruptive force.

Carolina needs that kind of defensive presence again after so many offseason losses.