Power ranking each 49ers position group entering Week 1 of 2023 season

No. 7: Tight End

It is a testament to George Kittle's greatness that the tight end unit is not at the bottom of the power rankings, but that, despite having a top-three player at the position, the tight ends don't even crack the top five is also a sign of how much work the 49ers need to do at supplementing the People's Tight End.

Kittle is a phenomenal player, a unicorn of sorts who blocks better than some offensive linemen and receives better than some receivers. His ability to do everything for the 49ers garnered him an unprecedented extension, one that has aged quite favorably.

It is through him alone that the Niners' tight ends rank so highly.

But they often utilize formations with multiple tight ends, and when other players need to get involved, things fall apart quickly. The 49ers have searched for a backup tight end dynamic enough to allow Kittle to play more as a receiver and truly attack defenses, and they have yet to find a long-term answer to the position.

Backups Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley return after underwhelming years, and though they admirably do whatever is necessary, neither is good enough to uplift the offense. Rookie third-round pick Cameron Latu was essentially redshirted following an MCL injury, and rookie seventh-round pick Brayden Willis is likely at the bottom of the depth chart, perhaps not even being active.

Willis has a chance to be an unsung hero for the 49ers given his receiving ability, but that is no guarantee.

As it stands, there is not enough behind Kittle to uplift the position group