5 young SF 49ers players who look like emerging ballers

No. 4: SF 49ers Defensive Tackle Kevin Givens

He won’t receive anywhere near the publicity or attention given to Javon Kinlaw. But defensive tackle Kevin Givens is quickly emerging as a solid and reliable depth piece to San Francisco’s defensive line.

And in light of the team’s growing numbers of injuries up front, Givens will have to be such a player.

Defensive linemen Arik Armstead and Kerry Hyder are the SF 49ers’ two best pass-rushers so far through the first three weeks of the season, boasting five and four quarterback pressures, respectively. The No. 3 player on that list, however?

Givens with three.

Like Javon Kinlaw, Givens is putting up respectable Pro Football Focus grades (68.2 overall and split pretty evenly against the run and pass), yet the latter’s efforts are made more notable because of his status being an undrafted free agent entering only his second year.

At 6-foot-1 and 285 pounds, Givens is the choice to back up the Niners’ starting nose tackle, D.J. Jones, in case of injury.

But what matters is the fact Jones is currently tabbed to be a free agent in 2021, suggesting the real possibility Givens could see an increased role a year from now.

So far, Givens is doing everything in his power to suggest he’s worthy of it.