The 49ers 2020 NFL draft class on Tuesday got their jersey numbers. The five player class filled a few jerseys that belonged to some familiar faces last season.
DL Javon Kinlaw, 99
WR Brandon Aiyuk, 11
OL Colton McKivitz, 68
TE Charlie Woerner, 89
WR Jauan Jennings, 81
Kinlaw will occupy DeForest Buckner’s former number. He’ll also be tasked with replacing Buckner on the field. 99 has been worn exclusively by first-round picks since Manny Lawson took it over in 2006.
Aiyuk’s No. 11 was most recently worn by Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin was traded to the Eagles on the third day of the draft. Before him, wide receiver Quinton Patton wore it.
Last year’s starting right guard Mike Person had No. 68 before getting released this offseason. McKivitz scooped that up and might wind up being a factor in the competition for the vacant right guard job.
Woerner’s 89 is well suited for a primarily blocking tight end. It was most recently worn by long snapper Garrison Sanborn. Before that it was tight ends Kaden Smith, Cole Wick and Vance McDonald. The 49ers need Woerner to be a bigger factor than either Smith or Wick were in their uniform.
The choice of No. 81 for Jennings is an interesting one. It’s a very good wide receiver number that most recently belonged to Jordan Matthews. There’s been some up and down success by 49ers to wear 81, but Anquan Boldin and Terrell Owens both had a ton of success in it. If Jennings can produce at even half the level those two players did, he’ll be a huge success as a seventh-round selection.
