Fast, tough, aggressive. That's what 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek wants out of his players.
And former 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan believes that's exactly what first-round draft pick Javon Kinlaw will bring to the table.
"This guy is exactly that," McCloughan said to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. "He’s got good quickness. He’s got good upfield speed."
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The 49ers selected Kinlaw with the No. 14 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after trading back one spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This came as a bit of a surprise with top receivers Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb still on the board.
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But Kinlaw can come in and essentially replace DeForest Buckner after being traded to the Indianapolis Colts. Kinlaw primarily will play defensive tackle, but with his speed at 324 pounds, McCloughan believes the D-lineman can play multiple techniques.
"He could play three-technique (defensive tackle) no problem. And he played one-technique (nose tackle). He’s got power and he’s got leverage at the point," McCloughan said. "Hell, you could play him at five (technique, defensive end) if you wanted to. He’s got good get off. He’s got everything you want.
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"So, yeah, he’s a very cool item. The key is, is he gonna develop enough to be a really good player or is he just going to be a good player?"
[RELATED: Ex-49ers GM McCloughan pinpoints what Kinlaw could fix]
McCloughan gave Kinlaw a very solid first-round grade, however, he believes the newest 49er still needs to work on putting all his technique together after only recording 10 sacks in three years at South Carolina. In the end, that might not matter with all the talent around San Francisco's D-line.
"He has a chance to be really good if he hits it," McCloughan said.