Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 49ers starting lineup after 2020 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 and the San Francisco 49ers run into the locker room for halftime against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 and the San Francisco 49ers run into the locker room for halftime against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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South Carolina Gamecocks
Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina Gamecocks (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Nose Tackle: D.J. Jones

Defensive Tackle: Javon Kinlaw

Defensive End: Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa

Finally, some notable changes as a direct result of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Javon Kinlaw isn’t as good as DeForest Buckner, yet he’s going to be asked to occupy a major role this upcoming season. Kinlaw is known for being a pocket-wrecking force, which should help free up San Francisco’s pass-rushers like those at South Carolina.

Kinlaw’s addition helps ensure the Niners will have a good defensive line rotation, too, although it’ll keep the 49ers’ 2017 first-round draft pick, defensive end Solomon Thomas, in a reserve role again.

While the base defense likely keeps EDGE Dee Ford off the field, he’ll be on the field a lot for nickel packages, which will move defensive end Arik Armstead to the inside to play along Kinlaw.

This pass-rushing foursome will look to maintain the same sort of prowess it enjoyed a season ago.

As long as Kinlaw holds his own.