49ers focus on trenches, depth in post-NFL Combine mock draft
By Peter Panacy
216. player. 830. . Tight End. Bearcats . Josh Whyle
Round 6, Pick No. 216 overall (compensatory): 49ers select tight end Josh Whyle, Cincinnati
The 2023 NFL Draft is notably deep at tight end, and even though the Niners already have an All-Pro in George Kittle, it’s impossible to overlook the fact that Kyle Shanahan has been seeking a No. 2 option to support Kittle for quite some time now.
Perhaps even to replace Kittle down the road (he will turn 30 years old this upcoming season).
It might have been smarter to target the position earlier in the draft, but Round 6 still affords San Francisco a shot at Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle, who recorded at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in each of the previous three seasons.
Lots of threes, right?
At any rate, Whyle is a prototypical yards-after-catch tight end with a good catch radius and the versatility to line up all over the formation.
His 4.69 40-yard time probably hurt his draft stock a little bit, and he’s not a great blocker.
But, in Round 6, the 49ers finally may find that hidden-gem No. 2 tight end after years of trying.