Niner Noise
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Predicting 49ers 2016 Depth Chart Before Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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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

Starter: Garrett Celek

H-Back: Bruce Miller

Head coach Chip Kelly doesn’t utilize fullbacks on his roster, so Bruce Miller is making the switch to tight end for the upcoming season.

Miller will fulfill more of an H-back role instead of being a traditional tight end. It’s something for which the 49ers used him previously, as Miller can line up all over the field, and likely puts his skill set to best use.

It’s a bit of a tossup who occupies the No. 1 tight end role though.

The 49ers, ideally, would have former second-round pick Vance McDonald hold onto this job. But after three seasons at the NFL level, McDonald hasn’t proven himself to be a reliable pass-catching option and should be relegated to a strict blocking tight end in TE-heavy formations.

So this opens up the door for fellow tight end Garrett Celek, whom the 49ers inked to a lengthy contract extension during the offseason.

Celek enjoyed a career-best 2015 campaign — 19 receptions for 186 yards and three touchdowns — before a season-ending injury cut his season short.

Next: No. 1 Wide Receiver