Grading the San Francisco 49ers First Round Draft Picks

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 27: Javon Kinlaw #DL14 of the South Carolina Gamecocks speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He landed with the 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The 49ers traded both of their first-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft; they traded back to select Javon Kinlaw and traded up for Brandon Aiyuk.

The San Francisco 49ers are fresh off Super Bowl appearance after going 4-12 and boasting the 2nd overall pick the year before. The 49ers were returning almost all of the starter from their Super Bowl team; the roster didn’t have many holes heading into the offseason this year, but after trading away DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the 13th overall pick, it left a hole in the middle of their defense.

14th Overall Pick Grade: B+

Trade: 49ers receive the 14th pick, 117th pick, and 245th pick.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers receive the 13th pick

San Francisco originally held the 13th pick in this year’s draft but elected to trade back with Tampa Bay. Trading back to 14 not only allowed them to grab the player they wanted (Javon Kinlaw) but also acquire picks later in the draft, something they were lacking — the 49ers did not have any 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round picks before the trade.

Kinlaw will likely step right into where Buckner would have been slotted prior to the trade. Kinlaw is still raw as a prospect, however with the talented defensive line that the 49ers have, it will give him the opportunity to face a ton of one-on-one situations. He will have the ability to shoot gaps and not have to worry about holding two gaps and playing the run with his eyes, but will instead be allowed to wreak havoc bursting through gaps, disrupting both, the run and the pass.