Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers roster bubble-watch breakdown after 2019 minicamp

By Peter Panacy

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: San Francisco 49ers guard Adam Snyder warms up during a San Francisco 49ers training session at Allianz Park on October 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: San Francisco 49ers guard Adam Snyder warms up during a San Francisco 49ers training session at Allianz Park on October 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) /
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CORVALLIS, OR – OCTOBER 26: Kaden Smith #82 of the Stanford Cardinal signals first down after making a catch on fourth down against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OR – OCTOBER 26: Kaden Smith #82 of the Stanford Cardinal signals first down after making a catch on fourth down against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on October 26, 2017 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

Tight End

Lock: George Kittle

Strong Bubble: Kaden Smith, Levine Toilolo

Weak Bubble: Garrett Celek, Tyree Mayfield

Long Shot: Ross Dwelley

There’s only one surefire no-brainer at tight end, but things get a bit more interesting after Pro Bowler George Kittle.

Much of this is influenced by the fact veteran tight end Garrett Celek still hasn’t been cleared from the concussion protocol after suffering a head injury late in 2018. Additionally, Celek underwent back surgery, which will likely keep him out until the middle of training camp.

Not good for his chances of sticking around.

Even before that news broke, the 49ers made moves during the offseason: drafting Stanford’s Kaden Smith in Round 6, then inking blocking tight end Levine Toilolo to a one-year deal.

Both Smith and Toilolo could unseat Celek on the depth chart, yet neither is an absolute shoo-in to make the final 53-man roster.

Simply put, there could be varying combinations here, depending how Kyle Shanahan decides to formulate his offense.