Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Best late-round NFL Draft picks in franchise history

By Brandon Powell

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 9: Dwight Clark #87 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game at Candlestick Park September 9, 1979 in San Francisco, California. Clark played for the 49ers from 1979-87. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 9: Dwight Clark #87 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game at Candlestick Park September 9, 1979 in San Francisco, California. Clark played for the 49ers from 1979-87. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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. Tight End. Hawkeyes . George Kittle. 3. player. 878

2017 NFL Draft: Round 5, Pick No. 146 Overall

It is safe to say that the latter half of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch’s first NFL Draft in 2017 went remarkably well.

Wide receiver Trent Taylor (Round 5), D.J. Jones and safety Adrian Colbert (Round 7) have all been contributors for San Francisco, and the future continues to be bright for both Taylor and Jones despite injuries last year.

However, the crown jewel of the 2017 draft class has undoubtedly been tight end George Kittle.

In four years at Iowa, Kittle never caught more than 22 passes in a single season, and although he was an efficient touchdown scorer, Kittle was primarily a run-blocking tight end in Iowa’s pro-style offense.

After running a 4.52 40-yard dash and a 7.0 second three-cone drill at the NFL Scouting Combine, however, the 49ers identified Kittle as an athletic pass-catching tight end who could flourish in Shanahan’s system.

Kittle has done little to disappoint.

In the last two seasons, Kittle has caught 171 balls for 2,430 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2018 alone, Kittle had 1,377 receiving yards, a single-season record for a tight end. He has earned two Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro selections (second team in 2018 and first team in 2019). True to his Hawkeye bloodline, Kittle also remains one of best run-blocking tight ends in the league.

While some may quibble with Kittle’s position on this list after just three seasons, it is frankly disappointing not to be able to rank him higher at this point. If this list were being compiled 10 years in the future, it is unlikely Kittle would be anywhere other than the first position.

As Pro Football Focus recently declared, Kittle was the best player in football in 2019 irrespective of position. Whether asked to catch passes, run block or even stay back to pass protect, Kittle performs every task with intensity and swagger.

He would have outperformed expectations as a second rounder. But as a fifth rounder, he is truly one of the franchise’s best.