2020 NFL Draft: Green Bay Packers top five first-round targets
By Ian Higgins
South Carolina. Scouting Report. Javon Kinlaw. 30. player. 49. Pick Analysis. DT
Current DT’s: Kenny Clark, Montravius Adams
In a 3-4 defense with a focus on big, physical interior defensive linemen, Green Bay could look to add a player who can bring more pressure from the interior. Kenny Clark has been the only ‘star’ on the interior in this Green Bay defense and could use some help in the first line of run support. As well as lacking the pure talent in the starters, rotating defensive linemen to keep fresh legs is crucial to a defense’s success.
Contrary to their current system, interior defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw could be a great change-of-pace pass-rusher for this Green Bay defense. Kinlaw is a twitchy interior pass-rush specialist from South Carolina who is more than capable of standing up to the run at 6’6″ 315 lbs.
When he first arrived in Columbia SC out of high school, Kinlaw weighed 340 pounds and underwent a serious diet change to slim down to his current figure. This weight loss has added unseen explosiveness out of the former 4-star recruit.
Kinlaw has been able to blow-by numerous interior linemen from major schools in his time at South Carolina and may draw plenty of comparisons to current LA Rams star tackle Aaron Donald. At the NFL level, Kinlaw has the size to remain at the 1 technique but could slide out to the 3 & 4i slots. This would be his best fit in a 3-4 system but could generate the most pressure from a 4-man front in the 1 or 2 technique.
Green Bay needs to continue to acquire pass-rushing talent, as once they settle for what is on their roster they will begin to struggle. A successful pass-rush hinges on the continual acquisition of talent and making sure that new talent compliments what is currently in place. Kinlaw would be a great new member of Green Bay’s defensive front and could change the face of Lambeau’s defense.
The 2020 NFL draft sports a varied mix of pass-rushing talent from Chase Young to Yetur Gross-Matos to the forementioned Kinlaw. Kinlaw though is only one of two players from this draft who can add the increasingly valued interior pass-rushing presence (the other being Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown), and could change the face of any defense he joins.