Any list of the 49ers’ top needs in the 2023 draft has to include tight end. As to where TE falls on the list of priorities, that’s up for debate. For San Francisco’s front office, it appears the position is at or near the top of the list of things to address with one of the team’s 11 picks over the three-day selection process.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller pointed out that the 49ers are being particularly diligent about how they’re evaluating the TE spot.
The 49ers don’t have a selection in the top 95 picks and have a great tight end in George Kittle, but a source with knowledge of the team’s plans say they have done more work on that position than any other team they’ve encountered. With needs on the offensive line and secondary, it would be a surprise early selection, but file this nugget away for early on Day 3 of the draft. Luke Schoonmaker (Michigan), Tucker Kraft (South Dakota) and Zack Kuntz (Old Dominion) are realistic options in the latter parts of Day 2 or early rounds on Day 3. In a historically great tight end class — I have eight players with starter grades — the 49ers could definitely find a running mate for Kittle.
Finding a backup TE hasn’t been hard for the 49ers. Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner have both done a nice job there over the last couple of seasons. However, neither player is a particularly adept pass catcher. That’s where San Francisco could stand to see some improvement.
Typically when they have two TEs on he field they don’t have a second receiving threat. If they can find a player at that spot who can block some and force defenses to at least think about them as pass catchers when they’re on the field, it could add a new dimension to an offense that already thrives on creating havoc and mismatches through varied personnel groupings. It would also give San Francisco a little cushion to give Kittle a handful of plays off per game to try and keep him fresh as he enters his Age 30 season.
It’s not a surprise the 49ers are looking hard at this year’s tight end class, and it seems to be a matter of when they’ll draft one, not whether they’ll draft one.
