Last year, the San Francisco 49ers made EDGE Nick Bosa the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, which in turn made that year’s fight for roles along the defensive line one to watch leading up to the regular season.
This year, Bosa’s role is solidified. Now it’s time for another rookie Niners defensive lineman, South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw, to carve out an important niche within San Francisco’s still-elite defensive line.
Kinlaw marked the first of five 2020 NFL Draft selections general manager John Lynch and Co. brought aboard:
- Round 1: DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
- Round 1: WR Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
- Round 5: OL Colton McKivitz, West Virginia
- Round 6: TE Charlie Woerner, Georgia
- Round 7: WR Jauan Jennings, Tennessee
Some of these players, such as Woener, will fill niche roles for head coach Kyle Shanahan this season.