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Do the San Francisco 49ers regret making defensive tackle
Javon Kinlaw a first-round pick in 2020? You will get very different answers to that question on social media than the answers from the team's top decision-makers.
Kinlaw has only appeared in 10 games over the past two seasons, dealing with the knee injury that was a concern coming out of South Carolina. The defensive tackle had reconstructive knee surgery in 2021. A setback this past season forced him to miss 11 games.
When Kinlaw
has played, he has failed to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. He has earned only 1.5 sacks in three NFL seasons, and his 31.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus for the 2022 season (including the playoffs) was the lowest on the team.
RELATED 49ers have no plans to trade Javon Kinlaw, per report
Earlier this month, the 49ers made a significant move, stealing away defensive tackle
Javon Hargrave from the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, bolstering the interior of the defensive front. Many felt that signaled an admission that drafting Kinlaw, entering the final year of his rookie deal, was a mistake.
One reporter asked general manager John Lynch, speaking at the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona, if the Hargrave addition meant the 49ers no longer saw Kinlaw as a potential game-changer.
"I don't think so," Lynch responded. "… I'm really excited for Javon [Kinlaw] because he's going into an offseason healthy. And I think we're committed to him and watching him be part of this group, and he's excited about that."
The 49ers added Hargrave and defensive end
Clelin Ferrell (Raiders) but lost defensive linemen Samson Ebukam (Colts), Maurice Hurst (Browns), Charles Omenihu (Chiefs), Hassan Ridgeway (Texans), and Jordan Willis (Raiders). So it would be beneficial if Kinlaw could contribute during the upcoming season.
San Francisco is not expected to exercise the fifth-year option on Kinlaw, likely signaling a departure in 2024. This year, there are no plans to move off the defensive tackle. Instead, the 49ers will look for Kinlaw to prove himself and stay healthy.
"And maybe it hasn't gone, because of the injuries, hasn't gone as well as we all might have anticipated or, I think, as well as it would have had he been healthy," Lynch said. "That's part of this thing. And so now, he is healthy, he gets to be a part … of our rotation, and we're really excited about that."
Related News
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch and Offensive Line coach Chris Foerster were in Seattle on Saturday scouting prospects of the Washington Huskies. While Washington has multiple talented draft prospects, the fact that Foerster was accompanying Lynch is notable considering Washington has two offensive linemen who are getting a lot of attention—Troy Fautanu and Roger Rosengarten.
Per source, John Lynch, Chris Foerster looked at several Washington draft prospects today. Huskies are loaded with draft talent, including …WR: Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillanOL: Troy Fautanu, Roger RosengartenEDGE:
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
