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San Francisco 49ers: 2019 ‘State of the Franchise’ (Tight end)

By Chris Wilson

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball after a catch 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 runs with the ball after a catch 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) /
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San Francisco 49ers State of the Franchise Tight End Kaden Smith
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) /

49ers 2019 tight ends: Roster additions

The San Francisco 49ers added three new tight ends to the roster via free agency and the 2019 NFL Draft.

Kaden Smith

The 49ers drafted Stanford Cardinal tight end Kaden Smith in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Smith, who stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 255 pounds, caught 47 passes for 634 yards and two touchdowns in 2018, after adding 414 receiving yards and five scores the previous year. Smith has the tools to become the red-zone threat San Francisco has lacked in recent years, but the prospect’s upside is limited given his lack of speed, which includes an unofficial 4.92 40-yard-dash time at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.

Levine Toilolo

Lynch and Shanahan added another Stanford product, free-agent tight end Levine Toilolo, to the team’s roster over the offseason. At 6-foot-8, Toilolo could prove to be a factor in the red zone, and the veteran TE has experience with Shanahan from their shared time with the Atlanta Falcons. If the 49ers move on from Celek, Toilolo will likely transition into his role as the team’s blocking tight end, and a player opposing defenses also need to account for in the passing game.

Tyree Mayfield

The 49ers signed Tyree Mayfield, who played tight end and fullback at the University of Wyoming, as an undrafted free agent immediately after the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft. At just 6-foot-3, Mayfield fits the “Offensive Weapon” mold of FB Kyle Juszczyk rather than the big-bodied mold of San Francisco’s fellow tight ends. Is Mayfield merely a training camp body that will allow “Juice” to stay healthy for the regular season, or does Shanahan have bigger plans for the multifaceted athlete?

Next. B/R: 49ers' Deebo Samuel is an overlooked addition. dark

Predictions:

Kittle, Smith and Toilolo make the 53-man roster, Celek gets released, and Dwelley and Mayfield battle it out for a spot on the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad.