Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Full 2016 Report-Card Grades for Every Position

By Peter Panacy

Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares to pass the football against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) carries the ball past New Orleans Saints inside linebacker Nate Stupar (54) and free safety Vonn Bell (48) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) carries the ball past New Orleans Saints inside linebacker Nate Stupar (54) and free safety Vonn Bell (48) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco 49ers. . D-. . Tight End

The 49ers extended No. 1 tight end Vance McDonald, who was having a career year before suffering a season-ending injury late in the season.

Still, McDonald’s career year was a far cry from what most would expect from a mid-tier tight end. And it isn’t as if the Niners have a crop of up-and-coming TEs from which to choose.

San Francisco’s offensive production suffered all year, especially through the air. The lack of threat from the tight end position was a prime reason why.

Biggest Standout: Vance McDonald

Yes, McDonald was having a “breakout” year in 2016 before getting hurt. But those numbers aren’t exactly top notch:

Receiving & Rushing Table
Games Receiving
Year Age Tm Pos No. G GS Tgt Rec Yds Y/R TD Lng R/G Y/G Ctch% Fmb
2013 23 SFO te 89 15 4 19 8 119 14.9 0 25 0.5 7.9 42.1% 0
2014 24 SFO te 89 8 4 8 2 30 15.0 0 21 0.3 3.8 25.0% 1
2015 25 SFO TE/wr 89 14 11 46 30 326 10.9 3 36 2.1 23.3 65.2% 2
2016 26 SFO TE 89 11 11 45 24 391 16.3 4 75 2.2 35.5 53.3% 0
Career 48 30 118 64 866 13.5 7 75 1.3 18.0 3

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/2/2017.

At least the Niners won’t have to worry about having a solid No. 2 tight end on their roster moving forward. And one could make the argument, if McDonald is placed in a good system, the 49ers could get adequate production from the 2013 draftee moving forward.

Biggest Bust: Blake Bell

Second-year pro Blake Bell hasn’t done much of anything to show he can be viable tool in San Francisco’s offense.

Yes, he has a tremendous skill set emanating from his collegiate days at Oklahoma. But those numbers haven’t translated over to the NFL level at all.

He managed just four catches for 85 yards on the season.