Fantasy football: 3 reasons not to draft 49ers TE George Kittle in 2019
By Chris Wilson
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle broke NFL records and helped win fantasy football championships last season. But was he too dominant? Here are the top-3 reasons why you shouldn’t draft the Niners’ stud TE in 2019.
Everybody loves San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle.
The former fifth-round draft pick had a breakout season in 2018, as the Niners’ second-year star broke the NFL single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end. But there’s more to appreciate about the University of Iowa product than just the records he breaks.
If you’re a Niners fan, you love Kittle because of his highlight-reel catch-and-runs, as well as his gritty blocking in the trenches. His status as the 49ers’ top offensive weapon, with over 1,300 receiving yards last season, also helps his cause:
| Games | Receiving | Rushing | Total Yds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Age | Tm | Pos | No. | G | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | Lng | R/G | Y/G | Ctch% | Y/Tgt | Rush | Yds | TD | Lng | Y/A | Y/G | A/G | Touch | Y/Tch | YScm | RRTD | Fmb | AV |
| 2017 | 24 | SFO | TE | 85 | 15 | 7 | 63 | 43 | 515 | 12.0 | 2 | 44 | 2.9 | 34.3 | 68.3% | 8.2 | 43 | 12.0 | 515 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |||||||
| 2018* | 25 | SFO | TE | 85 | 16 | 16 | 136 | 88 | 1377 | 15.6 | 5 | 85 | 5.5 | 86.1 | 64.7% | 10.1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 89 | 15.6 | 1387 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| Career | 31 | 23 | 199 | 131 | 1892 | 14.4 | 7 | 85 | 4.2 | 61.0 | 65.8% | 9.5 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 132 | 14.4 | 1902 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
If you’re an NFL fan, you love Kittle — at least when he’s not playing your favorite team — because he’s both a star player and an all-around good guy who never turns down a request for a picture or autograph:
George Kittle was the very last player on the field signing autographs after the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge. Several fans (of other teams) walked away saying they’re “buying a Kittle jersey” after he spent the last of his available time to interact with them.
— Keiana Martin (@KeianaMartinTV) January 23, 2019
He’s a good dude.
If you were wise enough to draft Kittle in your fantasy football league last season, the 49ers’ tight end holds a special place in your heart. You love Kittle not just for his 200-yard performances, but also because you know he’s giving it his all for your fantasy team — just ask Los Angeles Rams defender Aaron Donald:
George Kittle cares about your fantasy team.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) October 24, 2018
Kittle said he talked to Aaron Donald while his 10-yard TD was being reviewed last week.
Donald: "Man, you didn't get in?"
Kittle: "I had to get in because my fantasy coaches need me to get more points."
Kittle was a high-end fantasy asset in 2018 and remains a top-tier tight end entering 2019. So, why should you steer clear of the 49ers’ top offensive threat this season? Here are the top-3 reasons why you should avoid Kittle in your 2019 fantasy football drafts: