San Francisco 49ers: 3 thinnest positions entering 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Tight Ends
San Francisco experienced a dose of this last year when it lost All-Pro tight end George Kittle for two games to a combination of rib and ankle injuries.
Thankfully, it wasn’t any longer. And it’s admirable Kittle was able to return to the field so quickly despite being banged up. But it did highlight some of the depth issues the Niners have at the position and possibly explains why general manager John Lynch wanted to add another tight end during the offseason.
Turns out, the 49ers did this by grabbing Georgia’s Charlie Woerner in Round 6 of the NFL Draft.
But Woerner never had more than 11 receptions in a single season during his college days, and he figures to occupy more of a blocking role than anything else.
That’s crucial, especially considering Kittle’s prowess as a blocker in addition to his prolific pass-catching abilities.
At the same time, though, San Francisco doesn’t have any realistic receiving tight end threat behind Kittle. Sure, No. 2 tight end Ross Dwelley had a handful of splash moments last season in Kittle’s shadow. Yet he’s nowhere close to the kind of player Kittle is.
Simply put, the Niners better hope Kittle stays healthy for the entirety of 2020.