San Francisco 49ers: Early look at 5 targets in 2022 NFL Draft

49ers Target No. 4: TE Jahleel Billingsley, Alabama

Perhaps the Niners temporarily put a halt on their efforts to find a complementary tight end to pair with the All-Pro, George Kittle, as they didn’t bring aboard anybody via the 2021 draft or in free agency. It’s possible San Francisco remains comfortable in having No. 2 tight end Ross Dwelley assuming this role, and there’s still an outside chance second-year pro Charlie Woerner hones his route-running abilities.

Or, just as likely, the 49ers merely tabled this desire until 2022.

If the latter is the case, a worthy target could end up being Alabama tight end Jahleel Billingsley, who is potentially on pace to be one of college football’s biggest breakout stars this season. With wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith now gone, it’ll be up to players like Billingsley to fill the void.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound prospect only has 20 receptions for 303 yards and three touchdowns with the Crimson Tide over two seasons.

The lack of volume likely keeps Billingsley as a second- or third-round pick right now. Yet one can see how the raw tools are there, and those could be enough for a team like the Niners to think about bringing him aboard a year from now.