Harold Fannin might be the ideal mid-round draft pick the 49ers can grab to help complement George Kittle.
There's a growing buzz out there suggesting the San Francisco 49ers could go against conventional wisdom and use their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on a tight end, namely Tyler Warren out of Penn State.
As crazy as it might sound, the underlying notion isn't lubricous whatsoever.
For starters, head coach Kyle Shanahan has long sought a quality No. 2 tight end to pair with the All-Pro, George Kittle, who despite being on the wrong side of 30 years old, is still playing at an elite level. Yet nearly every one of Shanahan's attempts to fill that void have failed.
Considering the 2025 draft is chock full of impressive tight ends who can be had throughout all seven rounds, it makes more than enough sense for the Niners to use at least one of their current 11 picks on the position despite adding blocking tight end Luke Farrell as a free agent earlier this spring.
If San Francisco can wait, there's one tight end who'd be an ideal fit.
Harold Fannin is the tight end the 49ers not only want but truly need
Bowling Green's Harold Fannin might just be the solution to Shanahan's longstanding No. 2 tight end problem, particularly after generating north of 1,100 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns during his final collegiate season in 2024.
At 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, Fannin checks off the physical traits that should set up him for success at the NFL level. He ran a 4.71 40-yard time at the NFL Combine, while his game tape suggests he can get separation relatively easily against linebackers and safeties in coverage.
Plus, not unlike Kittle, Fannin has the ability to line up all over the formation, which would be a crucial element in Shanahan's ability to create mismatches.
Granted, Fannin's stock is hindered by his relative inability to block, either inside or out on the perimeter, and that won't bode well for him in rushing situations or when other ball carriers are moving toward his side of the field, and Shanahan requires his pass catchers to block.
But, for a prospect tabbed as a likely late-Round 3 target, Fannin offers more than enough upside to overshadow the blocking deficiencies.
Of note, Fannin had a top-30 visit with the 49ers already, suggesting they have at least some modest interest.
The Niners can afford to be patient with Fannin, too, working on his blocking abilities while deploying him as a true Kittle complement in two-tight end sets, possibly considering the rookie as the latter's long-term replacement, should things come to that.
Either way, look for San Francisco to have Fannin on their day-two big board, particularly toward the end of Round 3.