2020 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers pass on WR, snag Javon Kinlaw at 14

Digging into the San Francisco 49ers selection of Javon Kinlaw with the 14th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The San Francisco 49ers were clearly looking for significant trade-down situations at No. 13. They were able to swap a seventh-round selection for a fourth and only move down one spot. After that 2020 NFL Draft trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 49ers took defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

In a vacuum, I don’t hate this pick. Kinlaw is an impressive football player who undoubtedly has massive upside at the next level. His combination of a quick first step, long arms and impressive power at the point of attack gives 49ers fans plenty to be excited about here. However, the only reason that the San Francisco 49ers are picking here is that they traded away DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts.

Buckner is arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the entire NFL. I understand that he had to be paid, but a team should try everything they can to keep a guy like that around. Instead, they traded him for the pick that they took his replacement. I like Kinlaw as a 2020 NFL Draft prospect, but he is not DeForest Buckner. This is just poor team building in this writer’s opinion.

Instead of Kinlaw, I would have liked to see the San Francisco 49ers take a wide receiver at No. 14. Jerry Jeudy would have been such a great fit for their offense and CeeDee Lamb certainly had some appeal there as well.

None of that matters now as Kinlaw will be the player coming into the building. Kinlaw is undoubtedly an exciting prospect who will make an impact on their already loaded defensive line. I understand the appeal of the player and think he will play well in San Fran, but the 49ers could have done better here. Not an ideal selection for this team.