We often point out how rookie tight ends seldom do anything. It's a tough position to learn with the blocking and receiving requirements, and it takes a while to get players up to speed. So we're not expecting much from the three first-round tight ends, and that also applies to those selected in all other rounds.
But it's difficult to ignore the repeated hype out of San Francisco about fifth-rounder George Kittle. “He’s really flashed,” John Lynch said in a story on the team website. “He’s got some suddenness to him in his movements. He catches the ball extremely well. George gives us something we don’t have as a playmaker down in the red zone. He is that guy who can win 1-on-1. He can impose his will and out-athlete people. He’s exceeded our expectations.”
It's July, so you don't want to get too excited about what players are doing in padless practices. But this is just the latest glowing story about Kittle, and with San Francisco having a new front office regime and coaching staff, it's certainly possible they'll get some rookies on the field quickly. They don't have any ties to the incumbent tight ends.
As for those incumbents, Vance McDonald (reportedly shopped) and Garrett Celek shouldn't consider their roster spots secure. A year ago they they were the league's two worst players in terms of tight end drops. Not a good look for a resume.
| TIGHT END DROPS (20-PLUS CATCHES), 2016 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Rec | Drop | Pct |
| Garrett Celek, S.F. | 29 | 5 | 14.7% |
| Vance McDonald, S.F. | 24 | 4 | 14.3% |
| Clive Walford, Oak. | 33 | 4 | 10.8% |
| Lance Kendricks, L.A. | 50 | 6 | 10.7% |
| Eric Ebron, Det. | 61 | 7 | 10.3% |
| Jesse James, Pitt. | 39 | 4 | 9.3% |
| C.J. Fiedorowicz, Hou. | 54 | 5 | 8.5% |
| Virgil Green, Den. | 22 | 2 | 8.3% |
| Dwayne Allen, Ind. | 35 | 3 | 7.9% |
| Antonio Gates, S.D. | 53 | 4 | 7.0% |
| Gary Barnidge, Clev. | 55 | 4 | 6.8% |
| Travis Kelce, K.C. | 85 | 6 | 6.6% |
| Jared Cook, G.B. | 30 | 2 | 6.3% |
| Julius Thomas, Jac. | 30 | 2 | 6.3% |
| Jimmy Graham, Sea. | 65 | 4 | 5.8% |
| Coby Fleener, N.O. | 50 | 3 | 5.7% |
| Ryan Griffin, Hou. | 50 | 3 | 5.7% |
| Jermaine Gresham, Ariz. | 37 | 2 | 5.1% |
| Trey Burton, Phil. | 37 | 2 | 5.1% |
| Charles Clay, Buff. | 57 | 3 | 5.0% |
| Delanie Walker, Tenn. | 65 | 3 | 4.4% |
| Vernon Davis, Wash. | 44 | 2 | 4.3% |
| Will Tye, NYG | 48 | 2 | 4.0% |
| C.J. Uzomah, Cin. | 25 | 1 | 3.8% |
| Martellus Bennett, N.E. | 55 | 2 | 3.5% |
| Kyle Rudolph, Minn. | 83 | 3 | 3.5% |
| Tyler Eifert, Cin. | 29 | 1 | 3.3% |
| Jack Doyle, Ind. | 59 | 2 | 3.3% |
| Richard Rodgers, G.B. | 30 | 1 | 3.2% |
| Hunter Henry, S.D. | 36 | 1 | 2.7% |
| Dennis Pitta, Balt. | 86 | 2 | 2.3% |
| Jason Witten, Dall. | 69 | 1 | 1.4% |
| Zach Ertz, Phil. | 78 | 1 | 1.3% |
| Greg Olsen, Car. | 80 | 1 | 1.2% |
| Jordan Reed, Wash. | 66 | 0 | .0% |
| Cameron Brate, T.B. | 57 | 0 | .0% |
| Zach Miller, Chi. | 47 | 0 | .0% |
| Dion Sims, Mia. | 26 | 0 | .0% |
| Rob Gronkowski, N.E. | 25 | 0 | .0% |
| Jacob Tamme, Atl. | 22 | 0 | .0% |
| Marcedes Lewis, Jac. | 20 | 0 | .0% |
--Andy Richardson