49ers 53-man roster predictions ahead of first preseason game vs. Packers

49ers Tight Ends (3)

TE George Kittle

TE Charlie Woerner

TE Tanner Hudson

PS: TE Tyler Kroft

There’s no question who the No. 1 option at tight end for the 49ers is, of course: former All-Pro George Kittle will once again lead the group.

But there remain plenty of questions behind Kittle.

Former Georgia Bulldog Charlie Woerner appeared to lock himself in as the primary backup at the position near the end of the 2021 season. While he is rehabbing from offseason core muscle surgery, it seems he’s still going to be the No. 2 tight end for the 49ers this year. He will need to continue to improve his offensive output, however.

The third tight end role is wide open, especially once Jordan Matthews went down with an ACL injury that ended his 2022. Candidates include Ross Dwelley, who has been with the team for the last several seasons but appears to have peaked already as a pass-catcher, veteran Troy Fumagalli, who hasn’t offered much as a receiver during his career, former Bengal Tyler Kroft, who is perhaps the most prolific of the other options, and Tanner Hudson, who played one offensive and seven special teams snaps for the 49ers in 2021.

The spot will come down to the preseason success, although I’d given Hudson and Kroft the lead heading into the next few weeks, with Hudson getting the spot for now.