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49ers training camp 2018: Top 10 takeaways from Week 1

By Peter Panacy

ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 27: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers works out with teammates Dres Anderson #6, Issac Blakeney #1, and Bruce Miller #49 during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility on August 27, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 27: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers works out with teammates Dres Anderson #6, Issac Blakeney #1, and Bruce Miller #49 during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility on August 27, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Trent Taylor #81 walk off the field after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers 12-9. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Trent Taylor #81 walk off the field after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers 12-9. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

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:

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.