San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw recorded his first NFL sack on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. In fact, he was credited with 1.5 sacks during the game.
While Kinlaw was among Pro Football Focus' lowest-graded players from the game, one analyst, Brian Baldinger of NFL Network, once again saw flashes of greatness from the first-year defender. The potential is there, and Baldy feels Kinlaw could develop into a devastating force in the NFL.
How devastating? Baldy offered some high praise while breaking down one of a few plays by the 49ers' first-round pick.
"There's a half a dozen plays on Sunday, in this loss by the 49ers, where their No.1 pick, the 13th pick in the draft, Javon Kinlaw, showed up," Baldy said.
The analyst broke down a couple of plays that showed Kinlaw manhandling Saints guard Andrus Peat, using his hands and power to force his way past the two-time Pro Bowl selection.
"He learned it from Bosa, I think," said Baldy. "It sure looks like Nick Bosa — just that violent slap right there to beat Andrus Peat, and he gets to the ball. He gets to [Jameis Winston] right there."
Kinlaw showed off a similar move against Peat in his sack of Taysom Hill.
"Physically, he just takes Peat right here, who's 340 pounds himself, and just pushes him aside," said Baldy. "He takes down Taysom Hill. I mean, that's just physically-imposing football, one-on-one, Kinlaw winning."
.@49ers @JavonKinlaw showed up yesterday; the effort is real. The learning for rookie DL is always slow...but this train is beginning to roll. Gotta find the bright spots in a dismal day. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/mZcmIecqWu
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 16, 2020
Kinlaw wasn't too impressed by his performance and didn't boast about his first NFL sack.
"I mean, it's just one," Kinlaw said after the game. "Just one. Just one."
While it wasn't enough to win the game, Kinlaw and the 49ers defense displayed a strong effort against the Saints' high-powered offense.
"I feel like, all season, plays have been there, but sometimes I'm just a step off," Kinlaw said. "I feel like everything was firing today. I made plays when it counted. Just going to try to keep it rolling, that kind of stuff."
Added Baldy: "Kinlaw showed up, man. And I think it's just a start. I expect a good second half from him, figuring out some of these schemes and plays."