49ers: 3 rookies who could be Pro Bowlers by 2021

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Javon Kinlaw #3 of the South Carolina Gamecocks (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

No. 1: 49ers Defensive Tackle Javon Kinlaw

Picks in the first half of the NFL Draft are expected to regularly make the Pro Bowl, and the Niners are expecting Javon Kinlaw to be the perfect replacement for one of their former Pro Bowlers, now-Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, whom the team traded to land the pick ultimately used on Kinlaw.

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Kinlaw’s collegiate accolades and pocket-wrecking game tape at South Carolina need little introduction and breakdown, so let’s instead focus on some of the hype surrounding San Francisco’s newest interior pass-rusher.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who himself rose to prominence seemingly out of nowhere last season, didn’t just praise Kinlaw as a star player, rather suggesting to ESPN the defensive tackle could earn the top award given to a defensive rookie:

"Kinlaw is going to really be a perfect 3-technique for us and the way that we play. I think the way that [Nick] Bosa came and really showed his talent, I think Kinlaw can do the same thing and very well be the Defensive Rookie of the Year. I think he has that potential."

Granted, Kinlaw has some tendinitis concerns in his knees, which could have prompted a slight drop in his draft stock.

Even if that’s the case, though, the 49ers are banking on Kinlaw to provide an immediate impact right out of the gate, and it wouldn’t be shocking at all if he lives up to that potential and then some within the first two years of his career.

Next. 5 prospects 49ers should watch for 2021 NFL Draft. dark

Perhaps being the only player on this list capable of earning back-to-back Pro Bowl nods his first two seasons at the NFL level.