49ers: Predicting 2018 starting lineup post Jimmy Garoppolo trade

San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 2018 starting lineup post Jimmy Garoppolo trade

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the New England Patriots on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers is pursued by Matthias Farley #41 of the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter of a game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Tight End

George Kittle

There won’t be any changes here, as rookie tight end George Kittle is clearly the team’s future at the position. The only question is how the Niners go about supplementing the depth.

Veteran tight end Garrett Celek is signed through 2019, although it’s hard to see him fitting in long-term plans as anything more than a solid blocking option. Should San Francisco get some notable improvement along its offensive line in pass protection, the team might be able to afford using more pass-catching options like Cole Hikutini.

A name to watch in the NFL Draft, though, is Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews. Like many prospective tight ends, Andrews isn’t known for his blocking. But at 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds, Andrews is a mismatch nightmare and could offer a serious playmaking threat to the Niners offense.