49ers: Power ranking NFL draftees by immediate impact

Power ranking 49ers’ NFL draftees by potential immediate impact

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 25: Kaden Smith #82 of the Stanford Cardinal catches a touchdown pass while covered by Shaun Crawford #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Stanford Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

This may surprise some, but I was very high on the selection of Stanford tight end Kaden Smith, and I would not be surprised to see yet another late tight end selection become a home-run steal.

While I don’t expect to see Smith become better than the 49ers’ current star, George Kittle, I do think he will take over the role of backup tight end.

And with the Niners, if you make it to backup tight end you will see some relatively numerous snaps.

This is a gut prediction, but I think Smith will possibly have a much better immediate impact on the 49ers offense than Hurd will. Smith can learn from Kittle, one of the best tight ends in the game despite similar beginnings as a pro, and get onto the field early.

I think Smith should have gone as early as a late fourth-round pick, and I expect him to produce even if he won’t start.