5 SF 49ers players to watch in Week 1 vs. Cardinals

No. 3: Defensive Tackle Javon Kinlaw

Now we come to the first and only rookie on this list, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

Although, if rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk does suit up for the game, he is certainly an important player to keep an eye on as well.

The 49ers drafted Kinlaw with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, a pick they received in return for trading away star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and then after moving down a spot in Round 1. Kinlaw has been widely perceived to be a replacement for Buckner on a rookie deal, but fans won’t know for sure if this is true until they see Kinlaw on the field.

Once again, due to the lack of a preseason, fans have absolutely no idea of Kinlaw’s ability, or how prominently he will be featured in the defense. Currently, on the SF 49ers’ unofficial depth chart released on Sept. 9, he is not listed as a starter but is instead listed behind fellow defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.

However, these depth charts are assembled by the communications staff, not the coaches, and are often meaningless. There is a reason it is called unofficial.

Still, it is interesting Kinlaw is not listed as the starter, especially because of how he has been marketed as the 49ers’ replacement for Buckner. So, it is important to watch Kinlaw on Sunday to see if he is as great as we have been told and to see if he truly can replace Buckner.