49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Tight end Garrett Celek

Niner Noise takes a look at San Francisco 49ers veteran tight end Garrett Celek in our latest “Who Is?” installment, seeing if “Celek Time” can repeat in 2018.

From 2012 through 2014, San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek was little more than a No. 3 option on the Niners’ Super Bowl-contending roster.

Never having more than four receptions or 53 yards in a season during that stretch, the only time fans would see Celek on the field would be in jumbo packages or if one of the two other tight ends — Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker or, later, Vance McDonald — was unable to take a snap.

Yet when the 49ers began to fall apart in 2015, Celek became more of a receiving option.

In 2015, Celek had 186 yards and a then-career-high three touchdown grabs. 2016 and 2017 were even more promising:

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Generated 5/18/2018.

Under one-and-done head coach Chip Kelly in 2016, Celek had a career year. And while the majority of Kelly’s roster has since left the 49ers, Celek was one of the few who earned favor with head coach Kyle Shanahan now.

So much so, that Celek’s on-field performances earned him a moniker, “Celek Time.”

While the Niners have a younger, more promising tight end in second-year pro George Kittle, Celek has likely secured himself a spot as the No. 2 option in Shanahan’s offense.

Should we see an increased performance load from Celek this season?

If so, here’s why.

Why Garrett Celek Improves in 2018

For starters, one has to point out the obvious: understanding Shanahan’s playbook is tough.

Celek has a full season of that knowledge now, and he should be able to take advantage of the fact San Francisco didn’t exactly address its red-zone woes from 2017 with a big-bodied target. A year ago, the Niners ranked 27th in red-zone touchdown efficiency.

For that to change, tight ends will have to be the go-to options within this confined space.

Celek, 6-foot-5 and 252 pounds, has a slight size advantage over his counterpart, Kittle. And while we shouldn’t view the former as a bona fide offensive threat, his playmaking abilities in the red zone should be worth noting.

In case you forgot, here’s this, courtesy of Niners Wire’s Rob Lowder:

Celek also made plays over the middle last season, proving he has the ability to be more than just a red-zone threat.

NFL teams boasting two legitimate tight end threats are nightmares for opposing defenses. And while we’re not quite at the point where we can say the 49ers boast this, a tandem of both Celek and Kittle isn’t exactly a bad thing.

Especially considering the hype and likely trajectory of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

As long as the chemistry between Garoppolo and Celek continues to develop, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the tight end record yet another career year this upcoming season.

Why He Regresses

Much of this depends on just how prolific the Niners offense becomes in 2018. Even if it does emerge as a top unit, Celek could just as easily be a bit of an odd man out.

San Francisco has more invested in Kittle who, at 24 years old, has youth on his side. Celek, meanwhile, will turn 30 years old this season.

San Francisco 49ers

That might not be as much of a burden. But the 49ers elected to start Celek in 13 games last year. One might expect that number to drop in 2018, as the focus begins to shift more in Kittle’s direction.

Additionally, some of the other pass-catching moves the Niners made this offseason could mean Kittle sees fewer targets thrown his way.

What to Expect with the 49ers in 2018

Celek won’t have one of those prolific seasons at the position this year. Sure, it’s possible — perhaps likely — he experiences a career high in catches, yards and perhaps touchdowns. But assuming he emerges as a top threat is a bit much.

He’s a lock to make the 53-man roster, though. And signed through 2019, with the Niners in no danger of salary cap hell, there’s little reason to make him a post-camp cut to clear cap space. Unless one of San Francisco’s lesser-known tight ends truly blossoms before Week 1, Celek will be there in September.

So the projection boils down to both the role and statistics.

Celek’s red-zone proficiency will likely be his greatest asset, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him best the four touchdowns he had a season ago. Yardage, on the other hand, could be in the same neighborhood — between 350 and 400 yards, thereabouts.

The reason is the Niners will likely employ Kittle in more single-tight end groupings this season, meaning Celek will see fewer snaps and chances.

That’s not bad, per se, as Celek could still be a serious red-zone option.

Next: 49ers' early 53-man roster predictions for 2018

And if that happens, look for “Celek Time” to be something of a regular occurrence in 2018.