The 49ers selected the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with their first pick of the 2019 draft, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw said he would not be surprised if general manager John Lynch has already done it again this year.
The 49ers picked South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw at No. 14 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft to help compensate for the loss of team MVP DeForest Buckner, whom the club traded to the Indianapolis colts for a first-round pick. Greenlaw said he remembered Kinlaw from when Arkansas played South Carolina in the SEC, and he expects big things from the big man.
“Just an explosive, big guy that can really move,” Greenlaw said Wednesday on a video call with Bay Area reporters. “He’s going to be a perfect three-technique for us and the way that we play. It’s going to be exciting to see his potential.”
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In fact, Greenlaw compared Kinlaw’s potential with defensive end Nick Bosa, who registered nine sacks during the regular season -- and four more in the postseason -- and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“I think the way that Bosa came and played and showed his talent, I think Kinlaw can do the same thing and very well may be the defensive rookie of the year,” Greenlaw said. “I think he has that potential. It’s going to be exciting to be behind him and get a chance to play with him.”
[RELATED: Why Bosa believes Kinlaw is perfect fit for 49ers' D-line]
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Greenlaw said he was initially shocked to learn the 49ers traded Buckner in March. And while Kinlaw or no other one player can give the team exactly what Buckner contributed, Greenlaw said the pieces are in place to enable the team to pick up the slack from Buckner’s departure so that there's no discernible drop-off.
“Lynch and coach [Kyle] Shanahan, the guys they get, they do great job of developing them and getting guys who are ready to come in and play and I think we’ll have a couple guys who can come in and definitely fill in for Buckner,” Greenlaw said.