49ers: Full 2018 depth-chart predictions ahead of Week 1

San Francisco 49ers: Full 2018 depth-chart predictions ahead of Week 1

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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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

Garrett Celek, George Kittle, Cole Wick

Cole Wick, not Cole Hikutini, secured the No. 3 spot at tight end on the Niners depth chart.

Kyle Shanahan said Cole Wick beat out Cole Hikutini for the job as the No. 3 #49ers tight end. He noted that Wick blocked really well.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 1, 2018

Hikutini was never a good blocker in college at Louisville. And considering a number of problematic drops during the preseason, it’s easy to see Kyle Shanahan’s reasoning here.

As for the starting job, we’ll give it to Garrett Celek. But that doesn’t mean second-year pro George Kittle won’t see his share of snaps and playing time. Remember, starters are merely the players who see the first snap of the game.

Plus, Kittle suffered a shoulder injury during the 49ers’ first preseason game of 2018. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Shanahan work the former Iowa pass catcher in somewhat slowly to start the year either.