No. 4: Can TE Vance McDonald hold onto his starting job?
Most 49ers fans are well aware of the storyline involving TE Vance McDonald. After former GM Trent Baalke and company gave him a five-year extension after last season, the new 49er regime attempted to trade McDonald during the draft.
Ultimately, they kept him on the roster. But by adding free agent Logan Paulsen, UDFA Cole Hikutini, and drafting George Kittle out of Iowa in the fifth round, they clearly sent a message there will be an open competition at tight end.
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Perhaps McDonald just is not a fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system. But with Hikutini flashing solid pass-catching ability and Kittle impressing everyone with his athleticism and being a reliable target for all of the 49ers quarterbacks, McDonald’s hold on the starting position is clearly in question.
My guess is Paulsen will be more of a blocking TE, and Kittle will secure another spot, leaving Hikutini, Blake Bell, Garrett Celek, and McDonald to battle for the final tight end roster spot.
While it will be a tough decision either way for the 49ers staff, the encouraging part is that when a team begins cutting NFL starter-caliber players, it means they are accruing talent and potentially getting better. This battle may go down to the wire.