49ers roster: Predicting Trey Lance’s 5 favorite targets in 2022
By Peter Panacy
Trey Lance’s favorite target No. 3: 49ers TE George Kittle
It might be easier to assume All-Pro tight end George Kittle would be among the two favorite targets for Trey Lance this upcoming season, and there’s an argument to that. Tight ends are frequently a young quarterback’s best friend and most reliable go-to option, and Kittle needs to reassert himself as a primary receiving threat in 2022 anyway.
However, it’s fair to wonder whether or not that chemistry between Lance and Kittle is there yet.
During Lance’s first NFL start, Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, the tight end was absent with injury. And when Lance got his second start way towards the end of the regular season in Week 17 against the Houston Texans, Kittle caught just one pass out of the 23 he attempted that day.
Granted, it went for 29 yards, but it’s still notable that Kittle wasn’t Lance’s preferred target in the game.
At any rate, Kittle’s stat line in 2022 could be aided by Lance’s ability to extend plays, thereby allowing the tight end to get open and rely less on contested passes.
The numbers for catches might see a slight dip from last year, but look for Kittle’s yards and touchdowns to increase from last year to the tune of 65 grabs for 950 yards and seven touchdowns this season.