Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Pro Football Focus names George Kittle among two top-tier tight ends in fantasy football
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
You can't discuss the NFL's best tight end without including
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers. He has recorded back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving, getting into the end zone 10 times during that span, and set a new NFL single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end in 2018 with 1,377.
Kittle is pretty good.
So is Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. The two find themselves listed as the only Tier-1 players within Pro Football Focus' rankings of the
best fantasy football tight ends. The tier is reserved for players who possess elite talent and utilization.
"Both Kelce and Kittle are the consensus top two tight ends across PFF rankings," wrote Dwain McFarland of Pro Football Focus. "There is some debate between who is number one, but both are elite options."
Kelce has recorded four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and hauled in 15 touchdowns over the past two. That has made him the top fantasy tight end in four straight seasons, according to McFarland, who adds that Kelce plays with an elite passer in Patrick Mahomes.
Meanwhile, Kittle wasn't just graded as Pro Football Focus' best tight end last season; he received its best overall grade (95.0) among all NFL players.
"He is a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan's scheme, where he creates mismatch problems versus linebackers and safeties," wrote McFarland. "Once the ball is in his hands, getting him to the ground is a complicated task — among tight ends with at least 30 receptions, he leads the position in yards-after-the-catch average (8.6) over the past two years. The freakish talent has 36 grabs over 20 yards in that span, the most in the NFL. And Kittle owns two of the top six yards per route run figures in a season since 2007 (3.12 in 2019 and 2.82 in 2018) among tight ends with 25 season targets."
McFarland notes that, unlike Kelce, Kittle plays in an offense that puts more of an emphasis on the run game. The 49ers tight end, of course, relishes in the opportunity to run-block.
"I personally think if you can move a guy from point A to point B against his will, that's a better feeling than scoring a touchdown, in my opinion,"
Kittle said last year. "If you can put a guy on his back and he doesn't want to be on his back, it's a great feeling. There is not much that can beat that."
Despite his satisfaction in making an impact in the run game, Kittle is capable of putting up some impressive fantasy-football numbers.
"Kittle has led San Francisco's passing game on a per-game target share over the past two seasons (25% and 24%)," added McFarland. "He could push for slightly more work in 2020 if the coaching staff decides to utilize him more in the passing game.
Deebo Samuel is the team's No. 2 receiver and won't be ready early on due to a Jones fracture."
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers signing safety George Odum to a two-year extension
NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reports that, according to the player's agent, the San Francisco 49ers are signing safety and special teams contributor George Odum to a two-year, $10 million extension that could reach $10.8 million. Initially signed through the 2024 season, this extension will keep him under contract through 2026.
The #49ers and special teams ace George Odum have agreed to a two-year extension worth up to $10 million, per his agent Matt Glose. The deal puts Odum at the top of the core special teams market.
49ers restructure George Kittle's contract, creating cap savings
ESPN's Field Yates reports that the San Francisco 49ers have restructured the contract of tight end George Kittle, creating close to $10 million of additional 2024 salary cap space.
The Browns restructured the contract of newly-acquired WR Jerry Jeudy to create north of $10M in 2024 cap space.The 49ers restructured the contract of TE George Kittle, also creating close to $10M in 2024 cap space.— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 15,
49ers attend Arizona pro day to watch Jordan Morgan
Nearly all NFL teams were represented at Arizona's pro day, with only three teams choosing to skip the event. The San Francisco 49ers were among those in attendance to scout the draft prospects, including potential first-round pick, tackle Jordan Morgan. The Niners currently hold 10 selections in the upcoming draft, with their first pick at No. 31 overall.
Of note, it wasn't just any 49ers scout present at Arizona's pro day. NFL Draft Diamonds reports that it was the team's director of college scouting. Tariq Ahmad held that position before recently being promoted, along with R.J. Gillen, to co-directors of player personnel. It's assumed that NFL Draft Diamonds meant one of these two
Chargers are open to trading Joey Bosa, but can the 49ers afford two Bosas?
Could the San Francisco 49ers end up with two Bosas on defense? According to Dianna Russini, Senior NFL Insider for The Athletic, "The Chargers are open to trade offers for many veteran players including Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, per sources. There are teams interested but many around the league are willing to wait to see if the Chargers cut them soon." That sounds like, at minimum, an open door.
Nick Bosa will be entering his sixth NFL season in 2024. In his NFL career, he's been named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year (2019), AP Defensive Player of the Year (2022), is a four-time Pro Bowler and has also been named All-Pro. But the 49ers have struggled to find someone on the opposite side of Bosa who can consistently get after the quarterback.
Since the