No. 1: Tight End George Kittle
It’s been tough to watch the Niners passing game ever since quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered his season-ending ACL injury in Week 3. Wide receivers have mostly been absent, and backup QB C.J. Beathard has been up and down in his emergency fill-in role.
So it goes for San Francisco.
But there’s a massive positive on offense. Tight end George Kittle.
Kittle is easily the team’s best NFL Draft pick from a year ago, currently leading all 49ers pass catchers with 527 receiving yards on 32 catches. Only the Philadelphia Eagles’ Zach Ertz and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce have more.
To put things into perspective, check out this number from our friend Al Sacco over at 49ers Webzone:
Here's a positive one! George Kittle is on pace for 1,205 receiving yards this season which would be the most by a #49ers player since Terrell Owens had 1,300 in 2002.
— Al Sacco (@AlSacco49) October 22, 2018
Kittle is San Francisco’s best weapon on offense right now. He has shown vast improvement over what was already an impressive rookie season in 2017.
And with the Niners lacking true playmakers on that side of the ball, at least the team can take comfort knowing they appear to have what looks to be a standout player at such a prime position.
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