The second the 49ers used the pick they acquired in the DeForest Buckner deal to draft Javon Kinlaw 13th overall last April, number 99 was always going to be under the microscope. Any player drafted at so high a price would be under scrutiny, but the fact that Kinlaw plays the same position, and wears the same number, as the fan favorite that was traded away did add fuel to the fire.
Kinlaw himself stepped into the spotlight yesterday after responding to criticism from self-described “beast writer” Ryan Sakamoto. Sakamoto was skeptical of Kinlaw back in April and took a victory lap Wednesday on Twitter.