The San Francisco 49ers selected South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw with the No. 14 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
San Francisco traded down to this spot from No. 13, also giving up the No. 245 overall pick while gaining the No. 117 overall selection.
Buccaneers get: Pick 13, 245 (Rd. 7)
49ers get: Pick 14, 117 (Rd. 4)
Kinlaw racked up 10 sacks in his final two years with the Gamecocks while adding 65 tackles, 15 for a loss, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries during those seasons. He joins a defensive line that saw the departure of Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner but features talented pass rushers in Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Dee Ford, and others.
Javon Kinlaw's 90.7 pass rush grade was second highest among interior linemen in this draft class. #49ers
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) April 24, 2020
Kinlaw was recently asked which team he most hopes calls his name during the draft.
"If I had to say...I'd say the 49ers," Kinlaw responded.
Added Kinlaw: "They just a wonderful group of guys, a talented group that works together. They work together for the same goal, not individual achievements, and that's to get the win at the end of the day. That's what I want to be a part of, someone who looks at it as a whole."
.@GamecockFB @JavonKinlaw could be the most dominant defensive player in this draft. It's a healthy debate; but this much I know. His talent, power, and effort are elite. #gamecocks #SEC #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/eTvSHt76mu
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 17, 2020
The 49ers provided the following bio on Kinlaw:
Appeared in 37 games (34 starts) in three seasons at South Carolina (2017-19) and registered 93 tackles, 18.0 TFLs, 3 FFs, and 4 FRs. As a senior in 2019, named Associated Press First-Team All-America, starting all 12 games in which he appeared and registering 35 tackles, 6.0 sacks and 2 FRs. In 2018, started all 12 games in which he appeared, registering 38 tackles, 10.0 TFLs, and a team-high 4.5 sacks. Transferred to South Carolina in 2017 where he played in 13 games (10 starts) and recorded 20 tackles, 2.0 TFLS, 2 FRs, and 1 FF. As a freshman in 2016 at Jones County (Ellisville, MS) Junior College, recorded 26 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks.
Kinlaw didn't work out at the NFL Scouting Combine in February because of knee tendinitis. His pro day was supposed to be an opportunity for the defensive tackle to show off his athleticism and respond to questions, but it, among many others, was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Below is the NFL.com draft profile bio on Kinlaw:
Kinlaw showed great promise at Jones County Junior College in 2016, garnering second-team Junior College All-America honors (26 tackles, 8.5 for loss, four sacks in nine games). He got his body into shape after arriving in Columbia, though, shedding 40 pounds so he could contribute in all 13 games as a sophomore for the Gamecocks (20 tackles, two for loss, three pass breakups, one blocked kick, 10 starts). Kinlaw started 12 games in 2018, sharing the team's Defensive MVP award (38 tackles, 10 for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups). He missed the Belk Bowl, however, as he recovered from hip surgery. Kinlaw reached his potential as a senior, earning first-team Associated Press All-America and first-team All-SEC honors even though his defensive production (35 tackles, six sacks in 12 starts) did not exactly match how dominant he was at times.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Kinlaw to Michael Brockers, wrote the following about Kinlaw within his scouting report:
For a player with so many elite physical traits, Kinlaw's tape was much more inconsistent than expected. He had moments where he was able to use his size, length and power to overwhelm opponents, but poor pad level and an inability to harness his energy coming off the snap led to body control and balance issues that prevented him from reaching his full potential. He can be a disruptive force along the interior with that explosive first step and freaky physical gifts, but utilizing his heavy hands and plus length as a read-and-react 3-4 end might allow for improved technique, control and consistency. No matter the front, Kinlaw's traits and potential could make him a solid starter early in his career.
Benjamin Solak of The Draft Network wrote the following about Kinlaw within his scouting report:
Javon Kinlaw is a Day 1 target for any team looking to add a starter on the defensive line, and will be a high priority add for teams looking to increase their disruption up front. A hugely powerful athlete with a wicked first step, Kinlaw demolishes blocking schemes and pocket integrity with regularly. Kinlaw can 1-gap or 2-gap with equal success at the NFL level given his elite toolkit, and his potential as a pass-rusher is sky-high. Inconsistencies regarding Kinlaw's leverage and pass rush moves limit his ceiling as a one-on-one winner as an interior pass rusher, but by moving him around the line and sticking him in gaps, you'll get quality pass rush ability in Year 1. Kinlaw is a candidate for Pro Bowl bids the moment he steps on the field, and has the physical tools of the top defensive tackles in the league if he continues to grow.
Measurables
Height: 6-5
Weight: 324 lbs.
Arm length: 34 7/8 inches
Hand length: 10 1/2 inches
| College Statistics | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Class | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | |||||||||
| 2017 | South Carolina | SO | 7 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 2.0 | 0.0 | |||||||||
| 2018 | South Carolina | JR | 10 | 15 | 15 | 30 | 9.0 | 4.0 | |||||||||
| 2019 | South Carolina | SR | 12 | 15 | 20 | 35 | 6.0 | 6.0 | |||||||||
| Total | South Carolina | 42 | 40 | 82 | 17.0 | 10.0 | |||||||||||
Personal
- Attended Goose Creek (Charleston, SC) HS where he recorded 40 tackles as a senior in 2015.
- Studied interdisciplinary studies at South Carolina.
- Son of George Kinlaw and Leesa James-Exum.
- Born Javon Kinlaw (10/3/97) in Washington, D.C.
- His first name is pronounced juh-VONN.
- Kinlaw and his family faced financial uncertainty throughout his childhood, as they often moved from place to place in order to make ends meet. "You definitely can't give up on yourself," Kinlaw said. "I didn't really expect myself to be here. I didn't expect myself to be a collegiate athlete, but I stuck with it."
- Leesa James-Exum, Kinlaw's mother, immigrated to Washing- ton D.C. from Trinidad and Tobago in 1995.
- Played with older brother, Caleb, at South Carolina from 2017- 2019.
- After not participating in Pop Warner as a kid, Kinlaw's football career began as a sophomore at Goose Creek (Charleston, SC) HS.
Next: Round 1, Pick 25: Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk
