With the second pick in the fifth round (146 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have selected Iowa tight end George Kittle. He joins his former Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard, who was selected by the 49ers in the third round.
Kittle redshirted in 2012 and was a reserve in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, he got more playing time, starting six of Iowa's 14 games and catching 20 passes for 290 yards and a team-high six touchdowns. Last year, Kittle was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick after starting 11 games and catching 22 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns despite being limited by a foot injury the second half of the season.
NFL.com projected that Kittle would be selected in round 4 of the NFL Draft.
Pro Football Focus stats to know: Has only allowed a single quarterback pressure over the last two seasons combined. Earned the second-highest run blocking grade (79.6) in 2016 among the TE draft class.
"H-back type who lacks the desired size for in-line blocking but certainly has the technique and willingness to do it. He has good hands and flashes an ability to challenge as a pass catcher on all three levels. Kittle has the athleticism and blocking ability to become an effective move tight end if paired in the right system."
"Kittle has the athleticism to be a receiving mismatch at the next level though it's his blocking that makes him a perfect fit as a No. 2 tight end capable of playing in a "move" role. He can separate from linebackers and safeties, whether attached to the formation or in the slot, and while he'll likely never be a dominant in-line run blocker, Kittle projects as a useful matchup option in a two-tight end offense."
Measurables
Height: 6-4
Weight: 247 lbs.
Arm length: 33 1/8 inches
Hand length: 9 1/4 inches
49ers sign 6th-round draft pick Jarrett Kingston to 4-yr, $4.16 million rookie deal
By David Bonilla
May 15
The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly signed former USC offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston to his rookie four-year deal. The team made him a sixth-round draft pick, selecting him 215th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. This leaves wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, the team's first-round selection, as the only unsigned 49ers draft pick.
According to OverTheCap.com, Kingston's four-year contract is worth about $4.16 million. This includes a signing bonus of approximately $138,000 and a 2024 salary-cap hit of about $830,000.
When asked about his pre-draft evaluations, Kingston said, "I feel like I am athletic. I think whatever like the ratings were, but I feel like I'm really athletic. I think my background playing all these different positions, like defensive and tight
49ers' Brock Purdy completes tosses to George Kittle at Levi's Stadium...during Luke Combs concert
By Marc Adams
May 19
San Francisco 49ers fans are accustomed to seeing QB Brock Purdy complete passes to tight end George Kittle. On Saturday night, the duo hooked up a few more times at Levi's Stadium. But it was on a stage rather than on the field.
Country music star, Luke Combs, was in concert at Levi's Stadium, when part of the way through his show, he called Purdy and Kittle on stage to join him. After downing a beer with Combs, Kittle then motioned for Purdy to throw him another. Of course, his quarterback obliged. In the video, it appears that Combs raised his hand for another, but Purdy looked him off, choosing to go to his star tight end
49ers reportedly signing DL Shakel Brown after tryout
By David Bonilla
May 13
Shakel Brown was among several players who participated in a tryout in front of coaches during the San Francisco 49ers' rookie minicamp last week. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports that the team was impressed enough with the defensive lineman to sign him.
Defensive lineman Shakel Brown @TROYUnews signed with #49ers after rookie minicamp tryout per a league source
An Arsenal of Weapons: The 49ers Have Quietly Become Even More Dangerous on Offense in 2024
By Don Atkinson
May 13
It's not a shock to anyone who looks back at the past two NFL seasons to contemplate that the San Francisco 49ers' offense has finally stepped out of the shadow cast by the team's ever-imposing defense. Since their 2019 Super Bowl run, players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, and former 49ers Richard Sherman and Jimmie Ward have garnered most of the attention when talking about the team. That was indeed the case until 2022, when future Hall-of-Fame running back Christian McCaffrey, who came to San Francisco in a mid-season trade with the Carolina Panthers, changed the conversation. The 49ers' offense was suddenly seen not just as a semi-capable complement to a sterling defense, but rather as a unit that could put up some points, and in a dramatic way.
With the