Javon Kinlaw is a Jet!-Pick #14, 2020 NFL Draft.

Originally posted by SFrush:
I was told he has no idea how to use his hands.

He doesn't. A few plays don't negate that or make him an expert. Every single player in the league has highlights that can be used to refute a narrative, but that's not how it works. Consistency is what matters. Nick Bosa isn't renowned for his hands because he has a few plays here and there. He dominates on just about every snap with his hands. High hands, low hands, primary attacks, counters, timing, placement, etc. You've got to look at the big picture and not a few snaps. Kinlaw is a baby in that regard. And it's not just physically using your hands. It's also putting in the time to study your opponents and identify habits, formulating a plan before the snap and having an idea of what to do if the OL does X or Y happens. Let's hope he's been working this offseason on that aspect because he's got all the talent in the world to dominate.

I want to add that being good with your hands doesn't necessarily mean that you've got a million moves and whatnot. A go-to move and a counter off of that which answers the overwhelming majority of what an OL presents are really where you want to be baseline. Kinlaw isn't even at that point.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
I was a bit disappointed seeing that video. No hip involvement in his swings, and slow hand speed, tho, to be fair, he's a much larger human being that those that I may be comparing him to, hand speed wise.

You were disappointed with the way a 320+ Lb football player was doing something he probably doesn't do on a regular basis? He isn't training to be the next mike Tyson 🤦🏽.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by SFrush:
I was told he has no idea how to use his hands.

He doesn't. A few plays don't negate that or make him an expert. Every single player in the league has highlights that can be used to refute a narrative, but that's not how it works. Consistency is what matters. Nick Bosa isn't renowned for his hands because he has a few plays here and there. He dominates on just about every snap with his hands. High hands, low hands, primary attacks, counters, timing, placement, etc. You've got to look at the big picture and not a few snaps. Kinlaw is a baby in that regard. And it's not just physically using your hands. It's also putting in the time to study your opponents and identify habits, formulating a plan before the snap and having an idea of what to do if the OL does X or Y happens. Let's hope he's been working this offseason on that aspect because he's got all the talent in the world to dominate.

I want to add that being good with your hands doesn't necessarily mean that you've got a million moves and whatnot. A go-to move and a counter off of that which answers the overwhelming majority of what an OL presents are really where you want to be baseline. Kinlaw isn't even at that point.

If we're talking about just pass rushing I agree with mostly everything you said. It's also worth noting how important balance, the ability to change pad level, and footwork are to rushing the passer. When I watch Kinlaw I see a young player who doesn't use his hands consistently like you said, his footwork sucks, and he's rushing without a plan. It's something that Soloman Thomas struggled with as well. But the differences between Thomas and Kinlaw in my opinion are the raw power, violent hands, and the ability to change pad level. It probably seems odd to say that Thomas wasn't able to change his pad level when he scored very highly at the combine running the 3 cone. But changing pad level to me includes generating leverage. Kinlaws ability to change his pad level to generate leverage is very good for a rookie where Thomas struggled after dominating Pac 12 offensive lineman vs Kinlaw who dominated the SEC. Huge difference there. But that all means nothing if you're unable to use your hands and feet together. Kinlaw is light years behind Bosa in that regard, but with the tools Kinlaw has he doesn't need to be on Bosa's level to be a decent-good pass rusher.

In regards to his ability to play the run I think he's already better than Buckner was. When you're as strong and as flexible as he is, he already has shown flashes of becoming an elite run defender. Kinlaw can already generate enough separation from NFL lineman and anchor to where he's more likely than not in position to make a play. Having violent hands are more utilized in the run game because your feet don't have to be as married. As long as you keep you the lineman in front of you, you're keeping your pad level low, and using violent hands to get to the play you're doing your job for the most part as an inside DT.

Originally posted by Waterbear:
If we're talking about just pass rushing I agree with mostly everything you said. It's also worth noting how important balance, the ability to change pad level, and footwork are to rushing the passer. When I watch Kinlaw I see a young player who doesn't use his hands consistently like you said, his footwork sucks, and he's rushing without a plan. It's something that Soloman Thomas struggled with as well. But the differences between Thomas and Kinlaw in my opinion are the raw power, violent hands, and the ability to change pad level. It probably seems odd to say that Thomas wasn't able to change his pad level when he scored very highly at the combine running the 3 cone. But changing pad level to me includes generating leverage. Kinlaws ability to change his pad level to generate leverage is very good for a rookie where Thomas struggled after dominating Pac 12 offensive lineman vs Kinlaw who dominated the SEC. Huge difference there. But that all means nothing if you're unable to use your hands and feet together. Kinlaw is light years behind Bosa in that regard, but with the tools Kinlaw has he doesn't need to be on Bosa's level to be a decent-good pass rusher.

In regards to his ability to play the run I think he's already better than Buckner was. When you're as strong and as flexible as he is, he already has shown flashes of becoming an elite run defender. Kinlaw can already generate enough separation from NFL lineman and anchor to where he's more likely than not in position to make a play. Having violent hands are more utilized in the run game because your feet don't have to be as married. As long as you keep you the lineman in front of you, you're keeping your pad level low, and using violent hands to get to the play you're doing your job for the most part as an inside DT.

For sure. Well said. Nobody was hurt more by the 2020 offseason than Kinlaw. He should be a much improved player this year, and the 49ers need him to become an impact player.

Nobody's mentioned, but one other thing going for Kin is Coach K. I think he got Kin going on a few things last yr, but really, he was really hurt by not OTAs, camp, PS, etc. Just going to be a different guy this yr, and being with Kocurek is really a huge help for Kin.

A full TC + preseason will be huge for Kinlaw.

Originally posted by fanmusclecars:
A full TC + preseason will be huge for Kinlaw.

Serious question, will this make a difference? Shouldn't a year of experience in actual games trump that?

Originally posted by Alfienator:

Originally posted by fanmusclecars:
A full TC + preseason will be huge for Kinlaw.

Serious question, will this make a difference? Shouldn't a year of experience in actual games trump that?

Biggest jump in improvement almost always comes in year 2. Even more so with no off-season last year.

Originally posted by pasodoc9er:
Nobody's mentioned, but one other thing going for Kin is Coach K. I think he got Kin going on a few things last yr, but really, he was really hurt by not OTAs, camp, PS, etc. Just going to be a different guy this yr, and being with Kocurek is really a huge help for Kin.

Excellent call!

Coach K is a difference maker.

Originally posted by Howlett49:

Originally posted by Alfienator:

Originally posted by fanmusclecars:
A full TC + preseason will be huge for Kinlaw.

Serious question, will this make a difference? Shouldn't a year of experience in actual games trump that?

Biggest jump in improvement almost always comes in year 2. Even more so with no off-season last year.

agreed, that was something that needs to be brought up a little more as well...no real OTAs or TC for him.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Howlett49:

Originally posted by Alfienator:

Originally posted by fanmusclecars:
A full TC + preseason will be huge for Kinlaw.

Serious question, will this make a difference? Shouldn't a year of experience in actual games trump that?

Biggest jump in improvement almost always comes in year 2. Even more so with no off-season last year.

agreed, that was something that needs to be brought up a little more as well...no real OTAs or TC for him.

He's going to be excellent vs the run and if he's just good as a pass rusher (5-8 sacks/year) with a fair amount of pressures we are going to be in great shape across the DL

I can't wait to see #99 line up inside #97. That ought to be well worth watching. By rights that should make the L side of our DL a whole lot easier to get to the QB.

He absolutely looks the part, judging off all the workout stuff I'm seeing


kid needs to work on his technique and coach K will make that s**t happen

Not too shabby vs Mason who's a damn good OG

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Not too shabby vs Mason who's a damn good OG

DT Javon Kinlaw applying pressure 🔩💎 #49ers #FTTB #JavonKinlaw pic.twitter.com/H0p7AUOg2X

— 49er_Edits (@49er_edits) July 19, 2021

Dude needs to pull up some Chris Jones tape and watch how Jones' uses the bull-pull move to counter IOL that anchor that heavily vs power. Kinlaw could've won sooo cleanly. It's pretty wild that Kinlaw was still overpowering Mason despite being higher than him.