San Francisco 49ers: Positional Progress Report for First Quarter of 2016
By Peter Panacy
Tight Ends
One might figure the lack of playmaking wide receivers would open up the door for San Francisco’s tight end crop to make some impact.
It has, to a certain extent. And the 49ers can feel pretty good knowing they have two pass-catching options in TEs Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek.
Yes, McDonald.
McDonald (hip) missed Week 4. Prior to that, he hauled in five catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Maybe the catchability problems he experienced in previous years have finally left him.
Up to Par
Celek actually leads all San Francisco TEs with 10 grabs for 131 yards, which appears to be a carryover from his short-lived efforts a year ago.
Assuming McDonald comes back healthy, the 49ers will at least have two decent options in the receiving game to give quarterback Blaine Gabbert some mismatch targets down the field and underneath.
Needing Improvement
This might be a problem the 49ers can’t avoid. While McDonald and Celek may be viewed as decent No. 2 options at best, neither are exactly big-time playmakers either.
What we’ve seen over the first four weeks is probably the best we’ll get out of this group. So unless second-year pro Blake Bell is suddenly going to make a huge jump, this is a position likely needing more help in 2017.