49ers Training Camp: Early Stock Watch for San Francisco

Tight End Vance McDonald

2016 is likely a make-or-break year for former third-round draft pick Vance McDonald.

San Francisco’s tight end hasn’t exactly earned himself a reputation as being a reliable pass-catcher, and there are more than a handful of clips out there showing catchable balls bouncing off McDonald’s hands.

But McDonald has done a good job through training camp so far.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s Grant Cohn wrote:

"[McDonald] caught five passes and dropped none during team drills while primarily running shallow crossing routes and deep corner routes. The Niners clearly want use his speed and get him into “space,” which is the smart way to use him. McDonald can’t catch passes in traffic."

With tight end Vernon Davis no longer in the picture, the door is open for guys like McDonald and fellow TE Garrett Celek to climb the ladder and contribute in head coach Chip Kelly’s offense. Former fullback Bruce Miller is a factor too.

McDonald always seems to have nice preseasons — heck, he caught the first-ever touchdown at Levi’s Stadium (it was the preseason, but I was there) — but the success hasn’t exactly translated over into the regular season just yet.

For now, things are looking good for the underachieving tight end.

Stock: Rising

Next: Tight End Blake Bell