5 players the 49ers need to break out in 2021

No. 1: 49ers Defensive Tackle Javon Kinlaw

Yes, the 49ers suffered a downgrade last season when they traded Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts and then replaced him in Round 1 of the NFL Draft with South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

Kinlaw didn’t have it easy his rookie year. Aside from the lofty expectations placed upon him in Buckner’s wake, the multitude of injuries up front frequently meant Kinlaw was facing far more double teams than he otherwise would have if both Nick Bosa and Dee Ford stayed healthy.

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As such, Kinlaw’s 1.5 sacks and three tackles for a loss point to him being something of a disappointment.

All that said, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about Kinlaw entering 2021. If one subscribes to the belief that players make their biggest progressive jumps between years one and two, then Kinlaw is poised to have himself a breakout season.

Plus, the return of Bosa and the addition of Samson Ebukam will help reinforce a defensive line that essentially listed Kinlaw as its best player a year ago.

This should help take pressure off Kinlaw, which is a crucial need. And while the Niners don’t necessarily need the second-year pro to be a prolific interior pass-rusher, turning Kinlaw into a pocket-wrecking force will go a long way towards ensuring San Francisco’s D-line returns to the kind of form it enjoyed back in 2019.