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49ers Stock Watch: Who’s Up and Down Midway through the 2016 Preseason?

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) congratulates running back Carlos Hyde (28) after his touchdown in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) congratulates running back Carlos Hyde (28) after his touchdown in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) scores a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) scores a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up — Tight End Vance McDonald

If the 49ers haven’t been getting much production out of their wide receivers, Niners tight ends are more than making up the difference.

Namely Vance McDonald.

McDonald’s reputation as a pass-dropping bust seems to be disappearing this preseason. He accounted for the 49ers’ lone touchdown score in Week 1 of the preseason, and he backed it up with a three-catch, 38-yard performance against Denver.

A Chip Kelly-led offense makes better use of tight ends than anything seen under former head coach Jim Tomsula and former offensive coordinator Geep Chryst. So a surge from the former Rice product might be on the table this year.

Even if McDonald’s expected levels of production took a while to generate.

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2016 wouldn’t mark the first year in which McDonald had a good preseason. So Niners fans may still want to be a little leery of the fourth-year pro suddenly contributing at a massive level.

But what we’ve seen so far is a good thing.

And the 49ers offense needs all the help it can get.

Next: 49ers vs. Broncos: Preseason Week 2 Grades for San Francisco

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.