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Reporter reviews of San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw during training camp were mixed. That's not necessarily unexpected for a rookie defender, especially one who didn't have a typical offseason filled with minicamps, OTAs, workouts, and face-to-face coaching at the team's facility.
Guard Laken Tomlinson is someone who can gauge the rookie's progress. He, after all, had the most experience going against the defender during one-on-ones and team drills.
Tomlinson spoke with reporters via Zoom after Monday's practice and was asked about Kinlaw's development as the team prepares to kick off Week 1 on Sunday.
"I can say to his development so far: he's going to be a monster out there," Tomlinson responded. "I'm so excited to see him go out there and show what he's got. He's been working his butt off all of camp, and it's been showing in practice. I'm personally really excited to see him play, and I'm sure everybody else is. He's going to be a monster out there, I can tell you that."
The 49ers selected Kinlaw with the No. 14 overall pick and hope he, along with the rest of the defensive line, can help offset the loss of DeForest Buckner, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March.
Kinlaw was recently asked how he eventually wants his NFL career to be defined when he looks back on it.
"As the best defensive lineman to ever lace them up, honestly,"
Kinlaw responded. "That's just how I see it. I don't see it no other way. That's how I've seen it from the start."
Tomlinson has no doubts when it comes to Kinlaw's work ethic and dedication to becoming great.
"Honestly, all the work he puts in is on him," Tomlinson added. "He's the one buying into everything, he's the one listening to the coaches, and he's the one going out there and doing all the work. It's all him. His development is 100 percent on him, being bought into everything.
"And that's the kind of guys we've got in this building. Guys who are willing to work hard and come in and make a difference on the team."
Steph Sanchez and MLFootball report that the San Francisco 49ers hosted former Georgia safety Javon Bullard on a pre-draft visit yesterday.
🚨EXCLUSIVE: Georgia star safety Javon Bullard had a TOP-30 visit with the San Francisco #49ers yesterday, sources tell @_MLFootball & @Steph49K. Bullard, 21-years-old is a very good athlete and is great in coverage.
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
