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San Francisco 49ers: Report-card grades & analysis from Weeks 1 through 4

By Peter Panacy

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

TIGHT END. A-. . .

Second-year tight end George Kittle has been an absolute offensive force for San Francisco over four weeks. And with the Niners’ wide receivers not quite establishing themselves as legitimate weapons (more on that in a second), Kittle’s emergence has been one of a handful of bright spots for Kyle Shanahan so far in 2018.

Kittle leads all 49ers pass catchers with 18 receptions for 316 yards through four weeks. And his 82-yard touchdown catch and run in Week 4 sure was impressive:

So, why the A-minus?

Kittle alone would garner an A-plus grade. No questioning that. But his backup, Garrett Celek, hasn’t exactly lived up to the “Celek Time” moniker he earned last offseason. His costly botched catch in Week 4, which led to a Chargers interception, likely cost the Niners a win in Week 4.

Oh, and he’s been guilty of penalties too. Twice against L.A., which hurt.

What’s Good

Kittle. Enough said.

What Needs Improvement

Celek was a nice little story late last season. But it’s appearing that time has passed, as he’s been more of a liability than a bonus for the offense over four weeks. It might be time for San Francisco to consider an upgrade to complement Kittle going into 2019.