No. 3: Tight End Depth Chart Seems Set
The 49ers will employ tight ends George Kittle and Garrett Celek at Nos. 1 and 2 this season. The only question is which tight end assumes the No. 3 spot in 2018.
Right now, it appears as if Cole Hikutini is the favorite to earn this job.
According to Niners Wire’s Rob Lowder, Hikutini has been a regular target during drills and has even seen some time working with the 49ers’ first-team unit:
#49ersCamp Notes - Day 3: One name I haven’t mentioned yet is tight end Cole Hikutini. He’s been a consistent target with the backups and has gotten some first-team reps. He’s a smooth pass-catcher and should get some situational work this season. #49ers
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) July 28, 2018
Cole Wick and Ross Dwelley are the other tight ends with whom Hikutini is competing.
As far as who starts, Kittle appears to be the early favorite over Celek.
“He was banged up a lot last year and he came in very healthy,” Kyle Shanahan told reporters of Kittle on Saturday. “He’s also worked. He’s got his explosiveness back. He’s a physical guy who can block well and he’s got a year in the system where he’s got a lot more confidence. So, he’s not thinking as much out there. He’s definitely moving in the right direction.”
Kittle’s 43 receptions and 515 receiving yards in 2017 were the most of any rookie tight end, drafted in Round 5 or later, in the modern NFL era.