49ers sign first-round picks Javon Kinlaw and Bradon Aiyuk
By Justin Fried
The San Francisco 49ers have signed first-round picks Javon Kinlaw and Bandon Aiyuk.
The San Francisco 49ers have just locked up two more of their 2020 NFL Draft picks — and this time they secured their top two picks in the entire draft.
The 49ers announced on Friday that both first-round picks Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk had been signed to standard four-year contracts with possible fifth-year options.
The rookie duo join the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Derrick Brown, and Austin Jackson as the only 2020 first-rounders to be signed to this point.
It’s been an unusually slow process this year with over 180 of the 255 selections remaining unsigned at the time of writing. Of course, the difficulties presented by the ongoing worldwide pandemic are likely the cause of this.
Nonetheless, with the signings of both Kinlaw and Aiyuk, the 49ers have now inked contracts with four of their five draft picks.
The first signing came with fifth-round offensive tackle Colton McKivitz and that was followed up by seventh-round wide receiver Jauan Jennings this past Wednesday. That leaves just sixth-round tight end Charlie Woerner as the only unsigned rookie from their draft class.
More from Golden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
The 49ers have high expectations for Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk in 2020.
The 49ers will be expecting big years from Kinlaw and Aiyuk this season with both expected to assume roles of starters who were lost in the offseason.
Kinlaw was drafted to be DeForest Buckner’s replacement at the 3-technique and his addition only further solidifies the strength of the team’s defense. Playing alongside the likes of Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, and Dee Ford, look for Kinlaw to make an immediate impact in his rookie year.
Meanwhile, Aiyuk will be tasked with filling a role occupied by Emmanuel Sanders last season. The speedy Arizona State product is a perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense and could form a dynamic duo with Deebo Samuel (once he recovers) at receiver.
Aiyuk might also be asked to return some kicks, especially with Richie James’ latest injury.
Even in the world that we’re living in with teams struggling to reach deals with their rookies, the 49ers have managed to already sign 80 percent of their 2020 NFL Draft class.
Next. 49ers: Why the team shouldn’t trade for Jamal Adams. dark
And on Friday, they officially signed the two most important players from that class.