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5 players the 49ers should target in Round 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft

By Matt Stephenson

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 29: Deebo Samuel #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks watches on from the field against the Tennessee Volunteers during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 29: Deebo Samuel #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks watches on from the field against the Tennessee Volunteers during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Lecka/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Tight end Noah Fant #87of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs in for a touchdown during the first half against the Northern Iowa Panthers on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Tight end Noah Fant #87of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs in for a touchdown during the first half against the Northern Iowa Panthers on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Tight end Noah Fant

Given the production head coach Kyle Shanahan got out of tight end George Kittle in 2018, it’s not unreasonable the 49ers would look to add a second tight end proficient at pass catching to increase the attack the offense will have.

Tight end Noah Fant out of Iowa comes in at 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds. He is a big tight end who enjoyed particular success with his pass-catching abilities. He had a total of 39 receptions for 519 yards, averaging 13.3 yards per reception and seven touchdowns.

While there are other tight ends in this draft class who have accrued more receiving yards than Fant, he is the next most rounded tight end after fellow college teammate T.J. Hockenson who will most likely be drafted in the first round.

He recorded a 4.5 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and 6.81 second 3 cone drill.

Per NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein:

"Pass-catching tight end with the length, acceleration and speed to create matchup challenges both short and long. Fant is at his best in open space and on the move as his catch-focus appears to wane when coverage crowds him or he hears footsteps."

He has the ability to gain good yards after the catch and will often win contested balls due to his size and speed.

Fant possess both the speed and acceleration to separate from defenders, placing him in optimal positions across the field, with the added benefit he would provide the 49ers in the red-zone attack.