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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting team player awards for the 2017 season

By Peter Panacy

December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99) sacks New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Jets defeated the 49ers 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end George Kittle (46) is pushed out of the end zone by Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Jordan Lomax (27) at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end George Kittle (46) is pushed out of the end zone by Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Jordan Lomax (27) at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Rookie of the Year — George Kittle

Running back Joe Williams, taken in Round 3 of the NFL Draft, may wind up usurping No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde at some point this season. But that also means Williams doesn’t see starting reps until, let’s say, halfway through 2017.

But tight end George Kittle may wind up having an immediate impact.

It isn’t as if San Francisco’s tight end crop is elite. Anything but. No. 1 tight end Vance McDonald was the subject of trade talks before the draft. And there isn’t anyone behind him to suggest the Niners have additional hopes.

Kittle, taken in Round 5, didn’t have the collegiate hype the No. 1 TE taken in the draft, O.J. Howard, did. But their attributes are awfully similar, per Niners Wire’s Rob Lowder:

This is part of the reason why Niner Noise listed Kittle as one of the potential biggest NFL Draft steals this season.

Related Story: Why George Kittle may be the steal of the 2017 NFL Draft

Kittle may wind up starting right away. He has the physical tools to emerge over McDonald and any other option here.

And with Kyle Shanahan’s offense working in a rhythm to get targets open, look for Kittle to use his skill set to maximum efficiency his rookie year.

It will earn him a team award at the end of 2017.