The 49ers drafted Kinlaw out of South Carolina with the No. 14 overall pick in April. He 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.
One 49ers defender, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, has high expectations for Kinlaw and can envision the rookie following in the footsteps of the team's first-round pick from a year ago.
"Just an explosive, big guy who can really move, and it's going to be just a perfect 3-Technique for us, and the way that we play him," Greenlaw said. "It's going to be exciting to see his potential.
"I think the way that Bosa came and really showed his talent, I think Kinlaw can do the same thing and very well may be the Defensive Rookie of the Year. I think he has that potential, so it's going to be exciting to be behind him and get a chance to play with him."
NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger is confident that Kinlaw will become a disruptive force along the 49ers' defensive line.
"I don't know that any one player, even at the NFL level, can handle him one-on-one," Baldinger told The Athletic in May. "I think he's just too powerful."
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