The San Francisco 49ers made one of the biggest splashes of free agency when they signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave away from the Philadelphia Eagles. The two sides agreed to a four-year, $81 million deal as Hargrave set what has been a wild defensive tackle market this offseason. He was one of four players at the position to receive a contract that paid at least $81 million.

His addition to the 49ers’ defensive front is the exact kind of upgrade the team needed. The Eagles shredded them during the NFC Championship Game up the middle and San Francisco wanted to shore that up.

With Hargrave now on the defensive line, the 49ers have two game-wrecking stars opponents will have to account for. Along with their new defensive tackle, the team also has reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa as one of the bookends.

Those two are certainly a strong foundation for the team to have up front, which is partly why a surprise cut candidate for the 49ers could come from the defensive line. 2020 first-round pick, Javon Kinlaw, was recently named a potential surprise cut candidate for the team.

Kinlaw was one of the players who failed to set the tone in the running game against the Eagles in the NFCCG. The team declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, so he is a logical choice for such a list.

The South Carolina product was selected No. 14 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft but has failed to live up to expectations. He has struggled to stay on the field, appearing in only 10 games the last two seasons.

His lack of presence and production in the middle of the defensive line is as big of a reason as any that the 49ers went out and landed Hargrave. He is a huge upgrade at the defensive tackle spot and he makes someone like Kinlaw expendable this offseason.