5 bold predictions for 49ers 2020 NFL Draft class
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Charlie Woerner Will Beat His College-Best Receiving Numbers
The 49ers spend a good chunk of the offseason looking for another tight end to pair with their All-Pro, George Kittle.
While the Niners weren’t able to land anyone in free agency, they did end up using the No. 190 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Georgia tight end Charlie Woerner, who earned a reputation for being one of college football’s best blockers last year.
This will help San Francisco’s free-agent loss of veteran tight end Levine Toilolo, who left for the New York Giants during the offseason. And while Toilolo wasn’t much of a receiving threat during his lone year with the 49ers, one might expect Woerner to see a significant spike in his offensive numbers.
Woerner wasn’t much of a receiving threat with the Bulldogs, posting a college-career best 11 catches for 148 yards back in 2018.
Kyle Shanahan will look to make Woerner a more attractive receiving option than he was during his college days, prompting him into a role where he can complement Kittle and take some of the pressure off the Niners’ best threat.
And it wouldn’t be shocking to see Woerner wind up with around 15 to 20 catches and getting something in the realm of 200 receiving yards.