SF 49ers: 5 best storylines over first half of 2020 season

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San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99). Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Rookies Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk have shown the SF 49ers drafting them was the best choice

The SF 49ers aren’t necessarily the best when it comes to NFL Drafts. Yes, they’ve snagged a few gems late in rounds (George Kittle for example), but when it comes to the first selection(s), it’s rather shaken and not stirred.

Fast forward to the 2020 NFL Draft. After a flurry of trades from general manager John Lynch, which included trade-downs and trade-ups, the SF 49ers landed on defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw with the 14th overall selection.

The rookie from South Carolina has amassed 16 tackles, having notched at least one in every game this season. Had EDGE Nick Bosa stayed healthy, he and Kinlaw were expected to be a dominant duo. The 2021 season will prove it.

With their second pick in the first round, Lynch took wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. At the time, it wasn’t a sexy choice with SF 49ers fans. Many other top receivers were available, but Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan were set on Aiyuk. Luckily they call the shots and not armchair general managers.

Aiyuk, the 25th pick out of Arizona State, has 371 receiving yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, he’s collected 69 yards and two rushing scores. With over 400 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, he’s proving he was worth all the draft-day deals.

Kinlaw and Aiyuk are making themselves household names not only with 49ers fans but with NFL fans across the board. No matter how the season finishes, the SF 49ers can be proud of their 2020 NFL first-round draft picks.