Analysis: How all five picks from 2020 NFL draft fit with 49ers
The 49ers entered Saturday with just three late-round picks in the NFL draft, but it proved to be a much bigger day in the team’s history than initially expected.
The biggest news was the retirement of stalwart left tackle Joe Staley, who cited an undisclosed neck injury that was affecting his everyday life. Staley’s retirement after 13 seasons led to San Francisco trading two draft picks to Washington for standout tackle Trent Williams, who could be a potential upgrade over Staley.
Williams, 31, held out from Washington over a contract dispute in 2019 but was named to the Pro Bowl the previous seven consecutive seasons. He’s widely considered one of three best tackles in the NFL.
There will be plenty to come on Staley on Williams. Here, let’s take a look each of the five picks San Francisco made throughout the 2020 NFL draft and how they fit into the grand scheme.
Round 1 (No. 14): Javon Kinlaw (6-5, 324), DT, South Carolina
Kinlaw will step in right away at “three technique” to fill the void left by the trade of DeForest Buckner last month to the Indianapolis Colts. Kinlaw might not be as durable and productive as Buckner, but he has similar upside and could develop into a Pro Bowler should the 49ers maximize his potential. Kinlaw had 10.5 sacks the past two seasons with the Gamecocks and finished second among all defensive tackles in pass rush win rate (18.1 percent). The 49ers were his preferred destination and he’ll join a talented group of pass rushers featuring Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford. The 49ers took Kinlaw after moving back one spot in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, getting a fourth-round pick while sending away a seventh.
Round 1 (No. 25): Brandon Aiyuk (5-11, 205), WR, Arizona State
Kyle Shanahan knows exactly what he’s looking for in receivers. He favors explosiveness and guys that can create after the catch. Aiyuk checks both boxes. Shanahan even went as far to say Aiyuk was his favorite receiver in a loaded draft class, not Justin Jefferson, Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs III. CeeDee Lamb was the only other wideout he mentioned when asked how he ranked the batch of first-rounders. Aiyuk averaged nearly 11 yards after the catch last season and jumped 40 inches in the vertical. If there’s a question about the Sun Devil, it’s that he only had one season of significant production. He was limited to 474 yards as a junior before breaking out with a 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Six of eight touchdowns went at least 30 yards, and two went for longer than 80. The 49ers traded the Minnesota Vikings a fourth- and sixth-round pick to move up six spots for Aiyuk. He’s expected to start in place of Emmanuel Sanders, who signed with the Saints in free agency.
Round 5 (No. 153): Colton McKivitz (6-6, 306), OL, West Virginia
McKivitz started 46 of 47 games at tackle for the Mountaineers, but there’s a strong chance he moves to guard at the next level. After all, Shanahan is known for converting former tackles to guard to take advantage of their athleticism for his outside zone rushing scheme. And the 49ers have to find a replacement at right guard for former starter Mike Person following his release last month. McKivitz will likely be thrown into that mix with players like Daniel Brunskill, Ben Garland and free agent addition Tom Compton. If he stays at tackle, McKivitz would compete with Shon Coleman and Justin Skule, who each have more experience in the system behind Williams and Mike McGlinchey. No matter how it plays out, San Francisco needed another versatile offensive linemen for depth. The 49ers acquired the pick from the Dolphins in the trade for running back Matt Breida.
Round 6 (No. 190): Charlie Woerner (6-4, 244), TE, Georgia
The 49ers lost two blocking tight ends this offseason in Garrett Celek (retirement) and Levine Toilolo (free agency, Giants), so adding Woerner, an athletic blocker who can add value on special teams, makes sense here. There don’t appear to be many open roster spots for last season’s NFC champs but the tight end group is one area where a rookie could make a difference. Woerner wasn’t a factor in the Bulldog’ passing attack. He finished his four seasons with just 34 catches for 376 yards and a touchdown, and never had more than 11 receptions in a season. But he lined up in multiple spots on Georgia’s offense which means he could be used to back up fullback Kyle Juszczyk or play H-back if needed. The 49ers acquired the pick from the Philadelphia Eagles in the trade for Marquise Goodwin that allowed them to move up 20 slots in the round.
Round 7 (No. 217): Jauan Jennings (6-3, 215), WR, Tennessee
Jennings is a physical slot receiver who first joined Tennessee as a quarterback. He was the team’s MVP in 2019 and most productive receiver while hauling in 59 passes for 969 yards and eight touchdowns. He’ll fit in because he’s strong after the catch, like Aiyuk. He doesn’t have good speed (4.72 in the 40), but he led FBS wideouts with 30 broken tackles, according to Pro Football Focus. The numbers appear to be against Jennings making the 53-man roster given the players already at the position. But landing on the practice squad wouldn’t be a bad position to be in with a chance to contribute if there were injuries above him on the depth chart. The 49ers acquired the pick in the 2018 trade with the Detroit Lions for pass rusher Eli Harold.
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 4:18 PM.
