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49ers training camp 2018: 10 takeaways from Week 2

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 29: The San Francisco 49ers run their drills on the practice field during training camp at the 49ers practice facilities on July 29, 2003 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 29: The San Francisco 49ers run their drills on the practice field during training camp at the 49ers practice facilities on July 29, 2003 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Blake Countess #24 of the Los Angeles Rams chases George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers on a short 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)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Blake Countess #24 of the Los Angeles Rams chases George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers on a short 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) /

No. 4: George Kittle Is Clearly the No. 1 Tight End

While the Niners’ wide receivers have been getting a lot of praise in training camp so far, second-year tight end George Kittle has quietly made himself a standout.

Kittle, whose rookie season was historic for all the right reasons, still only started seven games last year. The lion’s share of starts went to the veteran, Garrett Celek.

Certainly, the 49ers’ play was to eventually work Kittle into a starting role. The only question might have been when, although the first two weeks of camp have all but proven Kittle will be the starter moving forward.

This, according to Niners Wire’s Rob Lowder:

It’s significant for a number of reasons. First, the Niners have lacked a playmaking tight end since the days of Vernon Davis in his prime. More importantly moving forward, though, Kittle’s ongoing development with Jimmy Garoppolo should help some of those aforementioned red-zone woes the Niners experienced last season.

And if Celek manages to pick up in the area he left off a year ago, the Niners would have a dual-threat tandem at this position.

Defenses hate two-tight end sets with both acting as legitimate pass catchers.