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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting rookie stat lines in 2017

By Logan Stanley

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Solomon Thomas of Stanford poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (from Bears) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Solomon Thomas of Stanford poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (from Bears) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 15: George Kittle #46 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs with a reception 22 yards for a first down against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half of the game at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 15, 2016 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Iowa defeated Purdue 49-35. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 15: George Kittle #46 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs with a reception 22 yards for a first down against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half of the game at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 15, 2016 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Iowa defeated Purdue 49-35. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Tight end George Kittle

Although the hype has been around Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster, mainly due to their draft selection and status in college, the main buzz is being generated by a lesser-known individual. The talk about tight end George Kittle has been substantial thus far. This quote, via KNBR:

"He’s got some suddenness to him in his movements. He catches the ball extremely well… I think George gives us something we don’t have in a playmaker down near the red zone… We feel like George Kittle maybe gives us something where he is that guy, in a one-on-one situation you can flex him out, put him in the middle of the field and he can kind of impose his will and just out-athlete people. That has been extremely positive. We thought that coming in, but he probably exceeded our expectations."

That’s from John Lynch. Quite the ringing endorsement, wouldn’t you say? Combined with the confirmed news that the 49ers were shopping tight end Vance McDonald on the trade block, it looks set that Kittle is the man at tight end for San Francisco in the future.

Even with this growing buzz, the bandwagon needs to be sure to not travel too ferocious, too fast. Either Brian Hoyer or Matt Barkley (most likely Hoyer) will be the one throwing to Kittle, and history has shown those two aren’t the most suitable options. Additionally, tight ends haven’t fared too well recently in Shanahan’s offenses — no Shanahan-coached tight end has amassed more than 60 receptions, 700 yards and four touchdowns in a single season the past three years.

Prediction — 45 receptions, 575 yards, 4 touchdowns

Next: 49ers training camp battle: The nose tackle position

These five rookies are the ones most likely to be in the headlines this next season. It’s a new time in San Francisco. The rebuild is on its way. To take from the popular phrase: “Trust the process.”