Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 49ers’ 2019 offensive starters with NFL Draft picks

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Alfred Morris #46 in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Alfred Morris #46 in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after a catch against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after a catch against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Tight End

George Kittle

This starting-lineup prediction is about as easy as it gets for the 49ers.

Pro Bowler George Kittle will look to build upon his record-setting 2018 campaign, and there aren’t any doubts about the kind of role he’ll hold for Kyle Shanahan and the offense entering this upcoming season.

Yet Shanahan’s offense needs a bit more balance, which should serve to take pressure off Kittle in 2019. And the amount of likable depth behind Kittle isn’t there.

For now, it looks to be Garrett Celek as San Francisco’s No. 2 tight end. Yet he had a down campaign in 2018. So, with a deep NFL Draft class at tight end, one could figure the Niners would be interested in adding yet another potent pass catcher at this spot to complement Kittle.

Perhaps his former teammate at Iowa, Noah Fant, with whom the 49ers have scheduled a meeting, according to Alex Marvez of Sirius XM NFL Radio (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco).

It’s possible the Niners bypass needs at wide receiver this draft, instead electing to double their prowess at tight end and create the kind of mismatch nightmares few offenses around the league can produce.

Again, however, Fant wouldn’t start if he winds up being the pick. That goes to Kittle, obviously.