SF 49ers: Rookie report-card grades halfway through 2020 season

Round 1: SF 49ers Defensive Tackle Javon Kinlaw

There’s a slight regressive grade for Javon Kinlaw since the B-plus awarded to him earlier this season.

It’s understandable. The entire nature of teams the SF 49ers have faced the last four weeks has been notably better and tougher than those played the first four weeks, so Kinlaw has understandably gone up against better opposition, both in terms of offensive lines and at quarterback.

That said, it’s pretty impressive Kinlaw is creating a lot of pressure up front when compared to his overall NFL Draft class:

To date, Kinlaw is still looking for his first NFL sack and has just one quarterback hit despite the pressures. Those figures keep his grade down a bit, although he’s showing to be a solid interior run defender and someone with the pedigree capable of being a true interior disruptor.

Kinlaw has massive shoes to fill in the wake of Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner’s trade last offseason.

But the arrow is still pointing upwards on San Francisco’s top pick.