3 49ers Players Who Will Be Rookie of the Year Candidates in 2020

The San Francisco 49ers were one quarter (and good coaching) away from winning Super Bowl LIV. While the loss stings, the 49ers did something this offseason that no one thought was possible -- they got even better. The trade for left tackle Trent Williams was perhaps their most prominent transaction of the offseason, but they made some spectacular additions in the NFL Draft, too.

When examining San Francisco's draft class, it's clear these three players can become candidates for the Rookie of the Year in 2020, on both sides of the ball.

3. OL Colton McKivitz

Colton McKivitz could be a difference maker on the offensive line. / Ed Zurga/Getty Images

After the first round, the 49ers didn't have a selection until Round 5. With plenty of time to formulate the pick, the team eventually settled on West Virginia offensive lineman Colton McKivitz. The former Mountaineer is tentatively listed as San Francisco's third-string left tackle, but he's much more versatile than that. He can line up at both tackle positions and at guard. In fact, Pro Football Focus says that McKivitz allowed the seventh-fewest pressures amongst all FBS tackles from 2017-19. McKivitz will certainly clinch a backup role on the team this year, but he can easily see an uptick in snaps if a starter were to go down with an injury. The young hog-molly could be a sleeper candidate for Rookie of the Year honors.

2. WR Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk will be an immediate starter on the 49ers offense. / Christian Petersen/Getty Images

San Francisco was in a bit of a bind at the wide receiver position. With little money to spend, they couldn't afford to keep trade deadline acquisition Emmanuel Sanders. But that proved to be no problem for the 49ers, as they traded up from No. 31 to 25 to select Arizona State's Brandon Aiyuk. His 4.5 second 40-yard dash time alarmed some teams, but his game film tells a different story. Aiyuk's dangerously fast in space and is a dominant runner after the catch. Make no mistake about it, the former Sun Devil is going to thrive in Kyle Shanahan's offense, which could earn him some love on the Offensive Rookie of the Year ballots.

1. DT Javon Kinlaw

The 49ers defensive line got even scarier with the addition of Javon Kinlaw. / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

With cap space waning, the 49ers had to make a sacrifice in the form of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for their first-round pick. In accordance, general manager John Lynch used the selection to bring in Buckner's replacement: South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw. He was a star on the Gamecocks' defensive line, and he has the chance to flourish in San Francisco. Come on, he's lining up alongside Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Solomon Thomas. Expect Kinlaw to feast on opposing offensive linemen throughout 2020, put up huge numbers, and become a favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.