Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 25 players for 2018

By Chris Wilson

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 26
Next
San Francisco 49ers George Kittle
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

16. TE George Kittle

While the San Francisco 49ers experienced a lot of “Celek Time” last season, rookie tight end George Kittle is the team’s future at the position. Tight ends are often slow to make the transition from productive college players to competent NFL starters — particularly those drafted in later rounds — yet Kittle’s rookie season was historic.

Kittle finished 2017 with 43 receptions and 515 receiving yards — more than any tight end drafted in the fifth round or later, in the history of the NFL. And although Kittle was the ninth tight end drafted last season, his reception and yardage totals ranked second among all rookie tight ends.

With a season of NFL experience under his belt, and Garoppolo under center, Kittle — who is an athletic freak — could be posed for a breakout 2018 season.