San Francisco 49ers: One concern for each 2020 NFL Draft pick

49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk: Defeating press coverage

When Brandon Aiyuk gets into open space, he’s a lethal receiver who can go the distance anytime there’s open space in front of him.

Unfortunately, Aiyuk’s biggest flaw is defeating the press coverage to get into that space in the first place.

Aiyuk simply doesn’t have the technique or the strength to consistently beat good coverage corners playing press coverage on him. It’s a major flaw given how he plays the game.

Luckily it isn’t all bad news for Aiyuk. He has a very similar receiver who can help teach him this in Deebo Samuel, and the offensive schemes of head coach Kyle Shanahan are designed to put him in as much space as possible.

Aiyuk should be a quick study, but fans may need to wait until his ability to consistently beat press coverage develops before we see him truly begin to contribute.

49ers DT Javon Kinlaw: Pad level

To be 6-foot-5 and 326 pounds, and yet have the engine and speed of a Ferrari in that tank of a body should be illegal.

More from SF 49ers Draft

• 49ers 2023 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick news and analysis
• Predicting 49ers NFL Draft picks by looking at final mocks
• DraftKings NFL Draft Promo – Win $150 Guaranteed on Any $5 Bet 
• 2023 NFL Draft: EDGE Byron Young could be impact player for 49ers
• 5 low-key NFL Draft options for 49ers who are flying under the radar

I mean, human beings should not be able to grow that big and yet be that speedy.

In terms of athletic potential, Javon Kinlaw has it all. The only thing that’s stopping him from becoming one of the most dominating players in the NFL is his technique.

Specifically, how he’s inconsistent in his pad level. Pad level is so important to leverage and functional strength, and Kinlaw has the size and speed that he should be giving that up to anybody.

Unfortunately, he has displayed some improper technique at South Carolina that has resulted in him losing more reps than he should. This is especially prevalent in run defense.

What makes this his biggest problem is teams practice with pads less and less in today’s NFL, and the COVID-19 epidemic will further disrupt and hinder the development of rookies this season.

49ers fans should have every confidence Kinlaw will have a good year, especially with the insane array of talent next to him on the defensive line that will be taking attention away.

But to be truly great, he needs to consistently play with a good pad level so he can use every physical talent he has at his disposal.