Niners' 2020 Draft: Mixed Results, Key Contributors

0:00On March 21st, here's the latest surrounding the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers, 2020 draft class, came during one of the strangest off-season in NFL history, with no live crowds or in-person. Events because of the pandemic. They picked defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw 14th overall, after trading back from the Colts' spot. Then grabbed wide receiver Brandon Ayuk at 25th. Later rounds brought offensive tackle Colton McIvitz in the 5th. Tied in Charlie Warner in the 6th, and wide receiver Javon Jennings in the 7th. Kinlaw showed early promise with plays like a pick 6 against the Rams, but injuries derailed him, leading the Niners to pass on his 5th year. Option. He landed a 3-year deal with Washington and played a full 2025 season, though he got ejected for fighting in week 16 against Philadelphia. Ayuk turned into a star receiver, earning a big extension in 2024 before a messy holdout, and then a torn ACO and MCO versus Kansas City.

1:02That sidelineed him for the rest of that year and into 2025. Fans hoped he'd be a cornerstone, but injuries changed everything. McIvitz stepped in as right tackle and has been reliably solid, ranking 63rd on PFF's top 101 list last year and signing an extension. Warner excelled as a blocker with Atlanta after leaving San Francisco, while Jennings became a clutch 3rd down option, highlighted by playoff. Catches against the Eagles, though he's now a free agent after contract talk stalled. Overall, the class misreplacing DeForest Buckner up front, but delivered key contributors on offense, making it a mixed bag that still holds value. Years later.