Will the 49ers Pick up Javon Kinlaw's Fifth-Year Option?

The 49ers have until the first day of May to make a decision on the fifth-year option of Javon Kinlaw.

A plethora of decisions await the San Francisco 49ers this offseason.

One of those decisions is the fifth-year option on Javon Kinlaw's rookie contract. The 49ers have until the first day of May to make a decision on that option along with Brandon Aiyuk. I would venture to guess that Aiyuk is most likely if not assuredly going to get his picked up. The real toss up is with Kinlaw. He was the 49ers' first pick in the 2020 NFL draft and the replacement for DeForest Buckner after they traded him to the Colts.

Three years later and the 49ers have yet to come relatively close to hitting any return on investment. It all comes down to availability, and that is something Kinlaw just does not have. He has missed more games (26) than he has played in (24). The knee concerns that were said about him going into the draft look legitimate now as it's been a constant problem since he stepped foot in the league. If they do pick up his fifth-year option, it will cost the 49ers $10.4 million. A tough cost to swallow all things considered.

Fifth-year option totals for 2020 first-round picks have been distributed to teams. Here are the numbers for the four different categories—deadline to pick up the options is the week after the draft. pic.twitter.com/T0r91eEUvl

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 7, 2023

So, will the 49ers pick up Kinlaw's fifth-year option?

No chance. There is just no way. Maybe if Kinlaw was healthy or only missed a quarter of the games, but even then, that is a stretch. The cost to keep him for a fifth year is simply not worth a player who is not available and isn't impactful. I don't think there is much to consider here. Most teams, if not all, would refrain from picking up his option if Kinlaw was on their team. There's little hope after all these years to believe he'll ever find that stroke of luck with his health. The 49ers would happily take just a serviceable player with Kinlaw at this point.

It's just an unfortunate career thus far for Kinlaw. Some players simply cannot shake the injury bug. It is almost like it is a curse given how ridiculous the bad luck is. Just look at Jason Verrett. He was nearing his return for the 49ers, then out of nowhere he tore his Achilles. You could not make this up with how bad luck it is with these injuries. There is just no way to quantify or explain it when it comes to that.

For the 49ers, there is no need to explain why they won't pick up Kinlaw's fifth-year option if that is the route they take. Cutting him is even on the table for them since it might be better to find a player who can actually give them snaps. But I don't envision the 49ers going that route because it will openly admit that Kinlaw didn't work for them. Only Aiyuk will find his option picked up, while Kinlaw will see his left at the table.