Niner Noise
FanSided

Redrafting the 49ers’ 2017 NFL Draft class two years later

By Peter Panacy

Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Original Pick: George Kittle

No reason to change the 49ers’ selection here. Seriously, it would be foolish to do so.

With little question, tight end George Kittle is the best thing to come out of this particular draft class for San Francisco. He showed flashes of being great his rookie season, setting a new NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end (515) drafted in Round 5, or later, during the modern era.

Oh, and there was that single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end set last year, when Kittle broke the Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski’s mark, set previously back in 2012.

If you want to laugh a bit, consider the Denver Broncos grabbed Michigan tight end Jake Butt the pick before Kittle went to San Francisco.

Butt has appeared in three games during his pro career, while Kittle is one of the league’s top offensive stars on the up and up.