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49ers 2020 NFL Draft: 3 traits Javon Kinlaw must showcase

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Javon Kinlaw #DL14 of the South Carolina Gamecocks walks off the stage after speaking to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Javon Kinlaw #DL14 of the South Carolina Gamecocks walks off the stage after speaking to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina Gamecocks
Javon Kinlaw #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Javon Kinlaw Must Provide 49ers with Interior Pass Rush

Javon Kinlaw is an excellent run stopper, yes. But teams don’t use top-20 picks with the intention of grabbing someone with prowess stopping the run only. The Niners fully expect Kinlaw to be a disruptive interior pass-rusher, too.

Looking at Kinlaw’s numbers, it’s easy to see why there are some doubts whether or not he can do this:

Javon Kinlaw Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2017 South Carolina SEC SO DL 7 12 5 17 2.0 0.0 0 0 0 1 2 1
*2018 South Carolina SEC JR DL 10 15 15 30 9.0 4.0 0 0 0 5 0 2
2019 South Carolina SEC SR DL 12 15 20 35 6.0 6.0 0 0 0 2 2 0
Career South Carolina 42 40 82 17.0 10.0 0 0 0 8 4 3

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/26/2020.

On the surface, this suggests Kinlaw is great at getting into the pocket and creating pressure, just not so much about finishing.

You can get an idea about that from the scouting video below, although the pocket-wrecking ability certainly is there. More on that in a moment:

Early on, it’s likely Kinlaw will not see the same kind of double teams DeForest Buckner enjoyed, as offensive lines focus more on Arik Armstead and edge rushers, Dee Ford and Nick Bosa, in 2020.

Kinlaw must take advantage of this, however, using his brute strength and pass-rushing prowess to win those one-on-one matchups and exploit the quickest route to the quarterback, straight from the inside.