49ers training camp: Updated bubble watch after opening cuts

49ers Tight End

Lock: George Kittle

Strong Bubble: Ross Dwelley, Jordan Reed, Charlie Woerner*

Weak Bubble: Chase Harrell*, Daniel Helm

Long Shot: None

San Francisco has the best tight end in the NFL, George Kittle.

Behind the 2019 All-Pro, however, things get a bit cloudier. A year ago, at least to wrap up the year, Kittle was supported by reserve tight ends Jordan Reed, Ross Dwelley, Levine Toilolo and Daniel Helm. Toilolo is gone via free agency, while one might assume the 49ers would want a notable upgrade over Helm, who was essentially a non-factor last year in limited action.

As a result, the Niners brought aboard two rookies, the elite-blocking Charlie Woerner and the pro day standout, Chase Harrell.

Harrell is further down the bubble than Woerner who is about as close to a lock as one could be on the bubble. But remember, San Francisco fans were excited about former Stanford tight end Kaden Smith a year ago after he was selected in Round 6 of the 2019 draft, yet Smith failed to make the 53-man cut.

Despite Woerner’s excellent blocking skills, let’s not assume he’s a lock just yet. Neither is Reed, whose injury history is concerning. If healthy, though, he’s an excellent complementary weapon to Kittle.

Dwelley, meanwhile, could end up falling anywhere on the depth chart from the No. 2 support behind Kittle to off of it altogether, given how fluid the situation is around him.