.@49ers @JavonKinlaw flashed on Sunday. He already is learning moves when most rookie DL take a year to figure the NFL game out. This is an incredible prospect with unlimited upside. This movement I am showing you is evidence that he is learning rapidly. WK 2 ? #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/W4GvyGN0hj
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 17, 2020
Okay, so maybe 49ers first-round pick Javon Kinlaw didn’t jump off the screen in his NFL debut, but his tape is turning some heads.
Specifically the head of NFL Network’s line guru Brian Baldinger, who targeted Kinlaw in one of his patented ‘Baldy’s Breakdowns’ on Wednesday.
Baldinger wasn’t just impressed by Kinlaw’s motor and strength, two things that made him such a menace at South Carolina, but also a Bosa-esque swim move that he added this offseason.
“I think the best way to describe Javon Kinlaw’s NFL debut is … he flashed,” Baldinger said. “He’s got a great transfer of power. … He’s got tremendous power, great lower body strength. He is a bull, like strong. … Game 1, you gotta learn before you can compete.”
Kinlaw didn’t just pass Baldinger’s eye test. Pro Football Focus rated Kinlaw as the third best rookie on Sunday, and the fifth best defensive tackle across the NFL in Week 1. According to PFF, Kinlaw outplayed former 49er DeForest Buckner who debuted with the Colts on Sunday.
Javon Kinlaw’s debut with #49ers:
– 2 pressures
– 1 tackle
– 81.4 PFF gradeDeForest Buckner’s debut with #Colts:
– 0 pressures
– 4 tackles
– 68.3 PFF gradeI’m being facetious, but an impressive debut for the rookie, who was the third highest-graded rookie on Sunday.
— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav) September 14, 2020
“Kinlaw,” Baldinger closed, “I’m looking forward to Week 2.”