Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 2018 midterm report-card grades by position

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

. . . TIGHT END. A-

If it weren’t for second-year tight end George Kittle, this position would receive a pretty awful grade halfway through the year.

Thankfully, Kittle is having a breakout season and currently leads all 49ers pass catchers with 37 receptions and 584 yards. Putting things into perspective, he’s on pace to reach 1,168 receiving yards on the season, which would mark the first time a San Francisco pass catcher has crossed the 1,000-yard plateau since wide receiver Anquan Boldin back in 2014.

Outside of Kittle, however, the Niners have received next to no production from depth options. The 2017 “Celek Time” moniker for No. 2 tight end Garrett Celek hasn’t carried over to this season.

He has just three catches for 29 yards on the year and has been more prone to dropped passes and holding penalties than anything else.

Cole Wick didn’t cut it and was demoted to the practice squad in mid October.

Thankfully, Kittle’s ascent has been fun to watch this season. He’s a legitimate piece of the 49ers’ future plans. If only San Francisco could find a complementary pass catcher to group with Kittle at this position.