San Francisco 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek is a big fan of his newest defensive toy, first-round draft pick Javon Kinlaw of South Carolina. Head coach Kyle Shanahan joined general manager John Lynch on KNBR Thursday night and explained how persistent the assistant coach was in persuading them to draft the defensive tackle.

"Do you know what the last five weeks have been like for us? Coach Kocurek is stuck in his house, and he's spending every day with his wife and his newborn," Shanahan explained to Mark Willard and Larry Krueger. "... All he's doing right now is changing diapers or watching Kinlaw.

"He sends us pictures of him every day, and I have to keep asking, 'Are you watching anyone else?' He said, 'No, this is the guy.' I know he's as excited as anyone."

The 49ers drafted Kinlaw at No. 14 after trading down one spot. He will try to replace defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March.


You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch and Shanahan below.



More San Francisco 49ers News