Ahead of free agency, there were rumors that the San Francisco 49ers would look to trade defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. This was a believable rumor with the signing of Javon Hargrave, but recently that has been debunked. Read here for how this rumor was found false and what it means for San Francisco.
No Javon Kinlaw Trade?
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was drafted in the first round with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. In three years, Kinlaw played just 24 regular season games. The player has been beaten by injuries each year. The reports about the team shopping Kinlaw began just before the 2023 league year. There were never any other teams mentioned, just that a trade was possible.
49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) – Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Cam Inman recently spoke to 49ers general manager John Lynch regarding the team’s free agency, and that was when it was reported that the rumors were false. Of course, anything can happen before and during the draft. If the team were to trade the former first-round pick, it would not be for much. He would be worth, at the earliest, a third-round pick with his injury history. The team does not have the cap space to make many more free agency moves, but luckily covered many of their remaining needs.
Kinlaw may not have played in every game his rookie year, but his 14 games were the most of any season. In three seasons, Kinlaw recorded 45 total tackles, 18 being solo, and just 1.5 sacks, according to ESPN. He has had one interception, which he returned for 27 yards and a touchdown. This was Kinlaw’s top play in the NFL so far.
While it is possible that a trade could happen, it may be okay that the team keeps him. The 49ers currently hold 11 draft picks, all coming from the third round and later. As the team primarily only needs depth in each position, Kinlaw will just add to the depth. This the signing of Hargrave, Kinlaw will be pushed to second on the depth chart. San Francisco’s current depth chart would put Kinlaw and Kevin Givens behind Hargrave and Armstead. There are two other tackles behind them, Kalia Davis and T/Y. McGill.
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) – Tony Avelar/AP Photo
Prove-It Year for Javon Kinlaw?
While the days of Kinlaw being a starter for the 49ers may be over, he could be valuable depth if he stays healthy. Lynch did say that Kinlaw was starting the offseason with healthier knees than in the past. This should be taken as cautiously hopeful, as it feels that was the case last offseason as well. Hopefully, for Kinlaw, he can revive his career this year. Not getting the brunt of snaps may actually help the defensive tackle. The fewer snaps that he plays, the less likely he is to sustain an injury. While this may seem negative, it is in the hopes that while he is on the field, he can produce.
This coming season will be Kinlaw’s fourth year. That being said, this will be his year to prove to himself and teams across the league that he will be worth signing when he becomes a free agent. It is way too early to say if the team will re-sign him a year from now, but this will be his prove-it year, no matter what. The first goal for Kinlaw will be to stay healthy. Sometimes this is truly out of the players’ control, but it will still be the first step in him reviving the career he has yet to have.
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw – Cooper Neill/Getty Images
The next step will be to obviously increase his stats. If Kinlaw can get at least two sacks this season, that would be a huge step up for him. He has not had one since 2023 and needs that to change. A bright point for Kinlaw, before all the injuries, was his impact on stopping the run. The 49ers rotate their defensive line often, and Kinlaw can take advantage of that.
While a trade is not impossible, it seems that the team would rather finish out Kinlaw’s rookie contract this season. Knowing the team has his back, hopefully, Kinlaw can prove everyone wrong.
