Javon

Kinlaw

Despite a partially homeless upbringing, Kinlaw (6’5/324) was a three-year starter at South Carolina who earned first-team All-American honors in 2019. Constantly faced with double teams, his on-paper production was modest. He finished with just 15 solo tackles, 6.0 TFLs, and 6.0 sacks as a junior, but he blew up plays by moving linemen off the block on tape. His length, strength, and burst make him a potential interior disruptor in the NFL, both as a pass-rusher and run-defender, but his overall profile is one of a boom-or-bust prospect. He needs further development in his technique to reach his Chris Jones-level ceiling and can’t be slowed by his knee tendinitis. If things click, Kinlaw could be the DeForest Buckner replacement.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that the Falcons could be interested in moving up from 16th overall, naming Florida CB C.J. Henderson as a possible target. But pass rusher is another area of need for the Falcons, and according to Allbright the team may be looking to move up in order to select Kinlaw (6'5/324). The athletic defensive lineman can be used as either a 4-3 tackle or 3-4 end, which would give Atlanta a versatile player to work with up front. Whether the Falcons make a deal or not, it is highly unlikely that Kinlaw slides out of the top-15.

Buffalo doesn’t have a first-round pick, and with Kinlaw (6'5/324) projected by many to be off the board within the first ten selections the Bills would have to make some moves if he is their guy. A first team all-SEC selection last season, Kinlaw could potentially be used either as a 4-3 tackle or a 3-4 end due to his combination of size, strength and athleticism. NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein compares the former Gamecock to Michael Brockers, making note of his “heavy, violent hands” and “explosive first step” as positive traits.

Brockers is not a sexy comparison like Aaron Donald or Chris Jones, but he has been a very good starter with spurts of dominance for the Rams for almost a decade. Like Brockers, Kinlaw is a “menacing bull-rusher” with violent, active hands that give interior offensive linemen hell. Zierlein also praises Kinlaw for his explosive first step and impressive lateral quickness for a 6-foot-3, 310-pounder. While Zierlein laments that Kinlaw’s film is more inconsistent than it should have been, the South Carolina DT is still one of the highest-potential defenders in this class and should be able to make an impact right away.

Kinlaw (6'6/310) was working through a bout of knee tendinitis during the Senior Bowl and per Rap Sheet, is now fully recovered from that concern. However, because the South Carolina standout was more zeroed in on rehabbing than training for combine tests these past few weeks, he is opting to hold off on testing until SC’s pro day. Kinlaw is one of several name defenders who will not be working out this weekend, joining Chase Young, K’Lavon Chaisson and Grant Delpit on that front.

Kinlaw (6'6/310) posted only 10.5 career sacks despite starting for three years, but he was far more disruptive than that, drawing constant double-teams in the middle of South Carolina’s defense. A physical freak, Kinlaw’s game has advanced by leaps and bounds the past few years. “Kinlaw aces the eye test with his massive frame and shows the length and initial burst to win quickly, using his immediate momentum to put blockers on their heels and create movement,” Brugler wrote. “Although his upright play style can be a detriment, especially when attempting to break down in small areas, he has a ready-made body type and his height helps create clear sight lines to the football.”

Kinlaw has experienced one of the biggest stock rises of this class. Though he came into the year as a decently regarded prospect, Kinlaw has shot up into elite territory over the course of the 2019 season. Kinlaw’s 6-foot-6, 310-pound build is a bit awkward, but he plays low for his height and has absurd explosive ability off the snap. Kinlaw can be the disruptive 3-tech that many NFL teams are looking for.

Kinlaw (6'6/310) was ranked 14th on McShay’s list ahead of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, but his performance throughout the week in Mobile has made the Gamecock a top-10 prospect. “He fits best in a one-gap-heavy scheme and is at his best when active as a run defender,” McShay wrote. “He’s a physical freak and showed just how much havoc he can create while at the Senior Bowl.” Kinlaw does need to improve when it comes to taking on double teams in McShay’s opinion, but he’s right there with Auburn’s Derrick Brown when it comes to the top defensive tackles in this class.

Kinlaw (6'6/310) has been projected by more than a few draft analysts as a Day 1 draft pick, and a good week in Mobile would help his chances. And he’s made a positive impression thus far. “Javon Kinlaw is proving he’s in his own tier among the defensive linemen at the Senior Bowl,” Renner said of the former South Carolina standout. Auburn’s Derrick Brown is considered to be the top defensive tackle prospect in this draft class, but Kinlaw isn’t far behind.

“With a massive 6-foot-6 frame and excellent athleticism, teams are going to love Kinlaw’s potential,” Kiper writes. Not only does he believe that a stellar week in Mobile could lock in a top-15 selection for the South Carolina standout, he believes that Kinlaw could potentially push Auburn’s Derrick Brown for DT1 come April. All of this talk is lofty, lofty, lofty, but Kinlaw’s blend of explosive upside is intoxicating.