Originally posted by dj43:
AA is slightly above average?
According to PFF, he is currently ranked #10 overall Interior Defender. Buckner is ranked #18. AA has a 4-point margin over DeFo in run defense. DeFo has a 3-point margin in pass rush. They are interchangeable pieces this year.
FWIW, Hargrave is right between the two.
EDIT: Kinlaw certainly has not earned his draft status but he has moved up about 10 spots since the early season. His weakness is in run defense. His pass rush has been decent.
It's this statement that indicates the knee still isn't right. It's better. But it's still not as strong as it once was. Kinlaw once destroyed interior lines. He had the strength, power and stamina to do this consistently, when healthy. It's clear that he's not the line wrecker he once was. He may never be that player again. We'll see. Provided the 49ers can hold onto the guy, and that's a big if, time will tell if that strength and power in that troublesome knee returns to pre-injury form.
As for Buckner, I'm sorry we lost him. Some financial decisions hurt. This one certainly did.