There is no shortage of roster needs for the San Francisco 49ers, especially when factoring in depth. Many believe adding another pass rusher would be beneficial. A bona fide starting left guard could also help, rather than relying on a roster competition featuring several uncertain candidates. Perhaps some additional help in the secondary would provide a boost, too.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports has another position in mind. He identified tight end as the one position the 49ers should target via a trade or waiver claim when teams make their final roster cuts.
"San Francisco's injury report seemingly grows by the day; whether or not you buy into the substation's influence on that is a personal choice," Edwards wrote.
All-Pro starter George Kittle is coming off an Achilles injury suffered in January. He returned to practice this week after beginning training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and the 49ers hope to work him into team drills starting next week.
Kittle remains optimistic that he will suit up for San Francisco's Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. However, nothing is guaranteed, and the tight end has played a full season only twice in his career—2018 and 2023. I'm counting 2023 because none of the starters played in the regular-season finale.
That gives Edwards reason to believe there is a good chance Kittle won't be available for all 17 games this season, which is a reasonable assumption given his injury history.
"If soon-to-be 33-year-old George Kittle misses any time this season, then the 49ers are left with some combination of Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell and others," Edwards added. "The team utilized the third-lowest rate of 2+ tight ends last season, according to TruMedia."
It's uncertain how much of a priority the 49ers view adding another tight end as. For now, it would appear they feel fairly comfortable with Tonges and Farrell behind Kittle.
Tonges tallied 34 catches for 293 yards and five touchdowns for the 49ers last season, all career highs. Farrell contributed two touchdowns of his own while recording 11 catches for 85 yards.
Still, the 49ers could find themselves in a difficult spot if Kittle isn't ready for Week 1 or suffers another injury during the season. Adding an experienced tight end through a trade or waiver claim would give San Francisco more insurance at an important position.
With the roster deadline approaching, tight end may not be the 49ers' most obvious need, but Edwards believes it could become one of the team's most important needs if Kittle struggles to stay healthy.
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