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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Steps the Offense Needs to Take in Week 4

By Robert Smith

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams.Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams.Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) breaks through Seattle Seahawks defenders for a touchdown during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) breaks through Seattle Seahawks defenders for a touchdown during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Even More Plays for the Tight Ends

The effectiveness of the tight ends has been a nice surprise so far this season.

Chip Kelly has been able to get decent production from this group. Considering Vance McDonald was thought to have questionable hands, Blake Bell’s lack of experience and Garrett Celek had not really distinguished himself, the group has accounted for sixteen catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns through three weeks of the season.

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With Blaine Gabbert averaging just 5.54 yards per completion, the 11.25 yards-per-catch average for the tight ends means they need to be again this week.

The only problem is, with McDonald nursing a hip injury, Celek may be called upon to step into a larger role in the 49er passing attack.  That would mean Blake Bell would move up the depth chart and also could be seeing more snaps on Sunday against the Cowboys.

The importance of the tight ends could be greater than Kelly may have thought coming into this season, especially with the receivers struggling on the outside.

If the tight ends can soften the defense across the middle, it could open up the receivers outside the hash marks to make plays in the passing game and allow the running game to find lanes as well.