49ers training camp 2020: 5 most important position battles to watch
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Who winds up being tight end No. 2 for 49ers?
The Niners are fortunate to have the best tight end in the game, the 2019 All-Pro, George Kittle.
Behind him, though, the team underwent some notable shakeups during the offseason. Gone are Levine Toilolo and Garrett Celek, leaving Ross Dwelley and Daniel Helm as the only returning veterans at this position to bolster Kittle. In addition, the team selected Georgia’s Charlie Woerner in Round 6 of the NFL Draft, then added a project tight end in undrafted free-agent signee Chase Harrell out of Arkansas.
Woerner was one of college football’s best blockers at his position, so one could figure he’ll at least replace Toilolo on the roster.
But the question becomes whether or not the rookie could surpass Dwelley as the No. 2 option.
Woerner wasn’t much of a pass-catching threat in college, never having more than 11 receptions in any of his four years with the Bulldogs. Yet it’s important to remember Kittle wasn’t exactly a massive receiving threat in Iowa’s primarily run-first offense.
Sure, Dwelley had his share of splash moments last year. But one could potentially look at the rookie, not Dwelley, as a serious candidate to challenge for the No. 2 spot behind Kittle, potentially giving the 49ers a potent one-two punch at the position.