Casserly explains why 49ers drafting Javon Kinlaw is classic Kyle Shanahan and his favorite pick of Day 1

NFL Network and NFL.com analyst Charley Casserly was asked on Thursday night to identify his favorite selection from Day 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft. Of the 32 selections made that night, Casserly identified the San Francisco 49ers picking defensive tackle Jevon Kinlaw of South Carolina as his favorite.

"Excellent defensive tackle, goes to the San Francisco 49ers," Casserly said. "I had him rated right there with Derrick Brown. In fact, some people had him ahead of Derrick Brown. He's quick, explosive, a perfect fit in that 4-3 defense when you want the penetrating defensive tackle."

That wasn't the only reason Casserly was fond of the selection. Head coach Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers' play-caller, is considered to be one of the best young offensive minds in football. Casserly, a former NFL general manager, loved the pick because it reminded him of something he remembered from 14 years ago.

"Now, let me tell you a story," Casserly continued. "Head coach Kyle Shanahan, he needs a receiver. What does he do? He keeps the defense strong, replaces DeForest Buckner with another high first-round pick. But that's not surprising to me.

"When we were in Houston, my last draft, 2006, Mario Williams versus Reggie Bush was the discussion in the room. All the coaches were there. The scouts were there. I turned to the youngest coach in the room. It was that kid, Kyle Shanahan. He's just a kid, coaching wide receivers.

"What do you do? Do you take Bush, or do you take Mario Williams? You figured he's going to take Bush. No. Mario Williams. He's the better player. You win with defense.

"Young guy there, he could see the big picture. He's older now. He still sees the big picture. They win there because of that defensive line. Good job, Kyle."

While most would expect Shanahan to covet offensive weapons to utilize within his brilliant play-calling, the head coach explained on Thursday night that his mind isn't necessarily wired that way.

"Ask my high school friends," Shanahan told reporters via a Zoom conference call. "When we did Madden, and we drafted our own guys, like this is back in '97 or whatever, my first pick was always (Michael) Strahan. And theirs was always like Randy Moss. I always built it. I always wanted to do D-line, and I think that's what we've done here. And I think John (Lynch) feels the same way."