Niner Noise
FanSided

5 problems the San Francisco 49ers will face in 2017

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Hitchens #59 of the Dallas Cowboys sacks quarterback Blaine Gabbert #2 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Hitchens #59 of the Dallas Cowboys sacks quarterback Blaine Gabbert #2 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
BUFFALO, NY – OCTOBER 16: Vance McDonald #89 of the San Francisco 49ers puts his hands on his hips after a play against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at New Era Field on October 16, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – OCTOBER 16: Vance McDonald #89 of the San Francisco 49ers puts his hands on his hips after a play against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at New Era Field on October 16, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Tight End Production

The 49ers brought in three new faces to the tight end position this offseason — Logan Paulsen, and rookies George Kittle and Cole Hikutini.

This trio could push incumbents like Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek and Blake Bell out of the picture. But it’s also possible one, or more, of the returning veterans remain, as no one has really pulled away from the competition.

Kittle missed five training camp days with a hamstring issue but has since returned to practice.

These are costly absences, though, and it’s a real possibility the highly touted pass catcher might not figure into starting plans right away.

Paulsen and Celek are more traditional blocking tight ends, and Hikutini shouldn’t be considered an option aside from his pass-catching abilities.

This probably explains why McDonald, not Kittle, is listed first on San Francisco’s first unofficial depth chart:

McDonald hasn’t done much to distinguish himself at camp, so that tells you what you need to know here.