2023 NFL Draft: Who could 49ers target at each offensive position?
Zack Kuntz. 4. player. 2396. . Tight End. Old Dominion Monarchs
49ers target: Zack Kuntz, Tight End, Old Dominion
Draft range: 3rd-4th round
The Niners have been in a perennial search for an answer to the No. 2 tight end position, and it shouldn’t shock fans if the team spends an early pick on the position. This is the deepest tight end class in many years and could finally be the time San Francisco finds an answer.
Zack Kuntz had a down year in 2022 for Old Dominion with only 12 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns after playing only five games due to injury, but he’s only a season removed from 73 receptions for 692 yards and five touchdowns for the Monarchs in 2021 after transferring from Penn State.
A behemoth at 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, Kuntz turned heads by running the 40-yard dash at 4.55 seconds. He has mismatch ability for the next level and looks like he could be an elite receiving threat in a league that can never have too many of those.
While not an excellent blocker, which is an element of concern for the 49ers who value good blocking technique, that’s something that can be taught.
What can’t be taught is the mismatch ability that Kuntz brings, and the partnership with George Kittle that could release havoc on defenses.