49ers 2020 NFL Draft: Live tracker with picks, grades and analysis

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Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina Gamecocks (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

B-. . Defensive Tackle. South Carolina. JAVON KINLAW

The 49ers started off Round 1 well enough, moving from the No. 13 overall pick down a spot via a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, netting a fourth-round selection while giving up a seventh-round pick back to the Bucs.

And with that selection, the Niners grabbed South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

It’s an interesting choice. Wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb were both available for the taking, and San Francisco has needs at the position. And while the draft is awfully deep at wide receiver, those two were among the tops in a talented class.

On the positive side, the 49ers do end up replacing Buckner in about as good a situation they could, landing a player on a rookie deal with plenty of upside. And it isn’t as if Kinlaw is a poor choice. He has the upside of being a pocket-wrecking force, potentially busting open interior offensive lines like the Los Angeles Rams have enjoyed with their All-Pro defensive tackle, Aaron Donald.

Still, San Francisco has now grabbed a defensive linemen in each year except one, 2018, dating back to 2015.

There were better options available.