San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle joined USA Today's Sports Seriously this week to share his thoughts on the 2025 NFL Draft. After a disappointing 6-11 season, the 49ers are eager to rebound in 2025 and return to postseason contention.
Kittle, briefly putting on his general manager hat, emphasized the importance of building through the trenches. He pointed to the Philadelphia Eagles' dominant Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs as proof of that philosophy.
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"If the Super Bowl showed anything, it's if you have a really good offensive line and a really good defensive line, it doesn't matter what the other team has," Kittle said. "It just doesn't matter. So if your offensive line is dominant and your defensive line is dominant, it doesn't really matter."
Most expect the 49ers to use their first-round pick on an offensive or defensive lineman, and Kittle agrees with that approach.
"Let's line up the five best guys on the offensive line, with a great tight end, and then let's run the hell out of the football and protect," he said.
While Kittle plays exclusively on offense, he understands the impact of a strong defensive front—something the Eagles showcased in the Super Bowl. That's why he wouldn't mind seeing the 49ers also invest draft capital in their defensive line.
"Hey, let's get another D-tackle or someone to pair with [DEs] Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd," Kittle said, "and let [LB] Fred Warner run a little free out there, and like put less pressure on our DBs. That's always my thing, and that's kind of what's worked for us in the past."
Kittle recalled how the 49ers' defensive line was once loaded with first-round talent, a formula he'd love to see revisited.
"At one point in 2019, I think we had seven first-round draft picks on our defensive line," he commented. "I don't know how it happened, but it happened. And so, I'd love to somehow get back to that again."