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San Francisco 49ers: 5 NFL Draft Rookies Who Will Start Right Away in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end George Kittle (46) celebrates after a touchdown catch during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end George Kittle (46) celebrates after a touchdown catch during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Tight End George Kittle

The 2017 NFL Draft was deep at a number of positions, and tight end was no exception.

San Francisco entered the year with four returning tight ends — Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Blake Bell and Je’Ron Hamm — and one free-agent signing, Logan Paulsen.

While there’s depth here, none of these stand out as true offensive threats. McDonald has been a disappointment ever since joining the league in 2013, and the rest are depth options at best.

The 49ers used a fifth-round pick to select former Iowa tight end George Kittle.

Kittle’s stats at Iowa don’t say a lot about his potential. Iowa’s offense wasn’t particularly dynamic, and Kittle impact was relatively minimal insofar as putting up numbers. But that doesn’t mean the 6-foot-4, 247-pound tight end lacks a lot of promise.

What makes Kittle enticing is his 4.52 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine — third best among tight ends, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.

A true H-back, Kittle provides enough versatility to wind up earning a starting spot in San Francisco’s offense this season.

Especially if the 49ers are considering moving McDonald, which reports suggested they were.