Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Prioritizing Each Position on Roster Before the 2016 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari (far left) instructs during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari (far left) instructs during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Tight End

Players on Roster: Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Blake Bell, Busta Anderson, Je’Ronn Hamm, Kyle Nelson (LS)

San Francisco no longer has tight end Vernon Davis on its roster, and the door appears to be open for a full-on competition to seize the starting job.

Tight end Vance McDonald, despite showing some moments last year, may quickly be passed up by second-year pro Blake Bell and the recently extended Garrett Celek on the depth chart. Celek also had some promising moments before a season-ending injury cut his 2015 campaign short.

Celek’s new contract, in addition to his impact last year, likely points in the direction the 49ers have some confidence in him being more than just a No. 3 tight end and a blocking option.

He could legitimately start, and San Francisco will also try to see what it has in Bell as he continues to develop his raw skill set into something of prowess.

Second-year tight end Busta Anderson is also a wild card in this equation. The 6’4″, 246-pound Anderson missed last season, but he does have the physique to suggest he may also play into the competition on a serious measure.

Few fans know Kyle Nelson’s name, which is exactly what you want out of a long-snapper.

Priority 4

Next: Offensive Line