49ers’ 2018 offseason positional preview: Tight end

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring on a eight-yard touchdown catch 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) /

3 of 5

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers eludes John Johnson #43 of the Los Angeles Rams on a pass play during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Tight end with the Most to Prove in 2018: George Kittle

It’s no secret that Kittle had quite an impressive rookie season with the team.

Now comes the time to build on that season, and cement himself as the franchise tight end for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Kittle had more receiving yards in his rookie year than Reed, Olsen, Ertz, Gates, Graham, or Davis did in theirs. He's my pick as well for #49ers player most likely to breakout on offense in 2018. #49wz https://t.co/mkRYYw4WWE
— Al Sacco (@AlSacco49) July 3, 2018

Kittle might suffer a sophomore slump of sorts at some point, but he’s far too talented and Garoppolo is far too good a quarterback for that to last. I expect Kittle to break out as an intermediate threat for the 49ers this season, as he seeks to prove his rookie year isn’t a fluke.

Garoppolo to Kittle is something I expect to hear in the media a lot for this season, to say the least.