49ers roster: 3 players who break out in a big way in 2021

No. 1: 49ers Tight End Ross Dwelley

I firmly believe the defense will once again be the strength of this team. However, I would be remiss for not acknowledging one of the most innovative offenses in the league. When guys are healthy and firing on all cylinders, we’ve seen how quickly a role player can elevate his status to a household name in a matter of games.

As was the case with my third selection, tight end Ross Dwelley.

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An integral piece to head coach Kyle Shanahan and his offense, as an undrafted rookie coming out of the University of San Diego, Dwelley has earned significant playing time because of his outstanding work ethic. He’s been a gritty blocker when called upon to do so, and he’s filled in quite admirably for superstar tight end, George Kittle, over the last two seasons.

Kittle missed eight games last season because of injury, and the offense didn’t skip a beat with Dwelley thrust in the mix.

He also possesses some of the most reliable hands in the position. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Dwelley was targeted 24 times and caught 19 of those passes. Of the five incompletions he had to his credit, none were due to drops, and I fully expect that trend to continue.

The NFC West is once again going to be the juggernaut of the league. If the 49ers wish to become relevant in 2021, they must continue developing this young, talented crop of players and stay as healthy as humanly possible.