49ers NFL Draft: Chase Claypool a perfect complement to George Kittle

The San Francisco 49ers could look for a complementary tight end in the 2020 NFL Draft, and Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool is one to watch to support George Kittle.

With their championship window wide open and a defense considered one of the best in the league, the San Francisco 49ers have relatively few holes to fill on their roster heading into 2020.

Following the departure of wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in free agency, however, finding offensive playmakers in this year’s NFL Draft was a priority for the NFC champs. While drafting a wide receiver was undoubtedly a bigger priority, which the team addressed by taking Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk towards the end of Round 1, head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear he also intends to find a tight end to complement the league’s best, George Kittle. After expressing interest in tight ends Austin Hooper and Jordan Reed in free agency, the Niners then met with numerous TE prospects in preparation for the draft.

Whether the Niners can find a suitable tight end to back up (and, in the case of injury, replace) Kittle remains to be seen. Hooper signed with the Browns and Reed’s injury history has, thus far, prevented the team from committing to the former Washingon Redskin. Moreover, this year’s tight end draft class is weak by historical standards, with not a single tight end earning a first-round grade by scouts or going in Round 1 on Thursday night.

Notre Dame wide receiver/tight end Chase Claypool, however, may be the perfect player to fill the 49ers’ needs.

Granted, this won’t be easy, as Claypool is generally viewed as a day-two prospect. And the Niners currently don’t possess any picks until Round 5 of the NFL Draft. But if the team is able to engineer some sort of move, or at least get lucky and have Claypool fall into day three, it’s a pick San Francisco must consider.

Claypool has the size, strength and mentality to play tight end at the next level. At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, he is approximately the same size as the 49ers’ current backup tight end, Ross Dwelley. Claypool also provides an immediate upgrade over Dwelley, athletically. Indeed, Claypool tested as one of the most athletic wide receivers at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, with a 4.42 40-yard dash and a 40.5-inch vertical, both near the top of the positional rankings. Claypool’s physicality and wingspan (80 inches) ensure he will be a productive target for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Claypool would be more than just a pass-catching tight end, however. As NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted, Claypool is an “outstanding run blocker” with a “nasty demeanor.” Claypool’s tape shows more than a willingness to block; it reflects enthusiasm. To quote Claypool’s Twitter account, “Blocking it fun too…”

In both athletic ability and attitude, Claypool is more Kittle than any other player in this draft.

Maybe most importantly, Claypool would provide Shanahan with the versatility he covets. Having Claypool in the lineup would allow the 49ers to move him inline, in the slot or on the outside. Claypool has the speed to run free up the seam against linebackers and safeties, and the size to dominate cornerbacks on the outside. He is precisely the type of interchangeable chess piece the team sought last year when it drafted Jalen Hurd.

For most teams, a reserve tight end would be a position of luxury, unworthy of a potential third-round selection. For the 49ers, Claypool would transcend this label. As a WR/TE hybrid, Claypool would simply be an offensive weapon, a mismatch for Shanahan to exploit. Any concerns of a position “change” for Claypool are minor; who better to learn from than Kittle?