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

No. 1: Javon Kinlaw Must Eat Up Multiple Blockers

DeForest Buckner’s sack numbers dropped from 12 in 2018 to 7.5 in 2019, not because of any drop off in ability, but rather because he was commanding so many double teams along the interior.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Early on, Javon Kinlaw will probably see much more single blockers, while offensive lines focus on the players mentioned on the earlier slide. Essentially, NFL defenses will be asking Kinlaw to prove he’s worthy of more attention by registering some solid pass-rushing production and getting to opposing quarterbacks.

If that starts to happen, though, Kinlaw will assuredly command more attention. And that’s exaclty what the 49ers would want.

Buckner was a prime reason Arik Armstead reached double-digit sacks last year, and the former also assisted Bosa’s pass-rushing abilities his rookie year, too. Earlier last decade, a similar situation played out with an interior defensive lineman, Justin Smith, who commanded the attention of two, sometimes three blockers while allowing EDGE Justin Smith to wreak havoc off the outside.

The good news is Kinlaw did this exceptionally well at South Carolina, often succeeding in the same manner as Justin Smith.

Granted, this was against collegiate competition. His opponents at the NFL level will be bigger, stronger and much more acclimated to elite pass-rushers.

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That said, if Kinlaw develops into a blocker-eating presence along the interior, San Francisco’s crop of pass-rushers won’t have any issue getting home like they did when Buckner was in the ranks.