49ers’ first-round pick Javon Kinlaw has been the biggest guy in the room his whole life, but now he’s working with Robert Saleh on techniques to help him utilize his “deadly” power.
As arguably the best left tackle in the NFL, Trent Williams knows talent when he sees it.
He often has been matched up against reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa throughout training camp, and though encounters with Javon Kinlaw have been less frequent, he believes the 49ers' first-round pick has the potential to follow in Bosa's footsteps.
"Luckily I haven’t had to go against him in a one-on-one setting, him and (Laken Tomlinson) have some pretty epic battles, but I’ve had to block him in team play and he’s a ton man, he’s a lot to deal with," Williams told KNBR's "Papa & Lund" about Kinlaw on Thursday. "Even when he’s pulling off his rush, you still feel that power, you still feel that size. You can’t really teach that, you can’t really coach that.
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"I tell him all the time he’s got Defensive Player of the Year written all over him. Getting with the D-line coach they have, (Kris) Kocurek is probably the best in the land, I honestly feel like he’s going to turn him into a nightmare in this NFL."
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Williams knows a thing or two about being a "nightmare," having been one for defensive coordinators throughout his decorated career due to his unique combination of skill, size, strength and athleticism.
Kinlaw just happens to be an identical height and weight to Williams, and if the behemoth rookie becomes the player Williams believes he is capable of, it's the offensive coordinators who will be kept awake at night.
