Latest news with #Kittle
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
San Francisco 49ers George Kittle Ranked Near Top of Fantasy Targets
San Francisco 49ers George Kittle Ranked Near Top of Fantasy Targets originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The San Francisco 49ers are itching to rebound from an abysmal 2024 campaign that saw the team finish 6-10 and miss out on a playoff spot while finishing last in the NFC West. Advertisement The disappointment bled over into the fantasy football world, as several 49ers players underperformed on the field and statistically. But there's one player in San Francisco who could have a big bounce-back season in 2025. Yahoo!Sports has labeled 49ers tight end George Kittle as one of five players to keep an eye on next season. "Even more critical than his placement among tight ends is where he sits relative to other positions in the overall ADP. Kittle goes in the same range of running backs with some risk in their profile and right in the alley where wide receiver projections begin to get dicey. He goes behind DJ Moore and the Chiefs' wide receivers, while coming just ahead of DeVonta Smith, DK Metcalf and Courtland Sutton. All of those wideouts have solid outlooks, but none present the potential difference-making ability of Kittle. Advertisement "Overall, this looks like a good year to actually consider some of the top-three tight ends, considering the steep drop that occurs at the position well before we get to TE10. Since Kittle goes much later than the other two, he's someone who looks like a proactive target and the cleanest way to get exposure to a 49ers passing game that we know will be good. San Francisco ranked ninth in dropback EPA last season — a year in which almost everything went wrong for them. I'll bet on them finishing higher in 2025." Kittle joins Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix, Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, Atlanta Falcons wideout Drake London and Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams on the list. Related: 'The Leader He's Always Been!' 49ers Don't Expect Anything Different from Brock Purdy Related: 49ers Receive Early Grade for Bryce Huff Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF shows 49ers George Kittle ultimate respect in 2025 TE rankings
PFF shows 49ers George Kittle ultimate respect in 2025 TE rankings San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been one of the best players in the league at his position since the team took him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Iowa. In his eight professional seasons, Kittle has made the Pro Bowl six times and has been selected to five All-Pro teams while catching 538 passes for 7,380 yards and 45 touchdowns and being one of the best run blockers in the NFL. Last year, Kittle appeared in 15 games and recorded 78 receptions (fifth-most among all tight ends) for 1,106 yards (third) and eight touchdowns (second). This performance earned him a massive four-year, $76.4 million extension this offseason, making him the highest-paid tight end in the league. As the calendar turns to 2025, everyone is discussing where players rank among their peers at their positions, and Pro Football Focus is releasing their positional rankings. On Thursday, PFF's John Kosko dropped his rankings for tight ends ahead of the 2025 season, and Kittle topped the list as the best player at the position in the league. "Kittle has been one of the best tight ends in the game for nearly a decade and was handsomely rewarded by the 49ers this offseason with a big contract extension," Kosko wrote. "The NFL's highest-graded tight end over the past two seasons (92.0), Kittle is the most complete player at his position in the NFL. He has earned an 84.7 PFF overall grade or better in seven straight seasons." Las Vegas' Brock Bowers, Arizona's Trey McBride, Baltimore's Mark Andrews and Detroit's Sam LaPorta rounded out Kosko's top five. At this point, in all of their careers, it's hard to argue that anyone tops Kittle, but if Bowers takes another leap after an incredible All-Pro rookie campaign in 2024 (112 receptions, 1,194 yards and five touchdowns), there could be questions heading into 2026. More 49ers: Bryce Huff's teammate explains why it 'wasn't a great marriage' with Huff and Eagles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
2 49ers players top PFF's list as the best at their position
The San Francisco 49ers roster is littered with high-end talent. Trent Williams is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Christian McCaffrey is a former Offensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa is a former Defensive Player of the Year, and Deommodore Lenoir is one of the premier young cornerbacks in the NFL. Two 49ers are getting their due from Pro Football Focus. Each day, the website released its top 32 players at each position, which started with quarterback. Advertisement Linebacker Fred Warner and tight end George Kittle were rewarded this offseason with lucrative contract extensions. Both were named at the top of their position groups in the NFL. Mason Cameron detailed his selection of Warner as number one in the NFL. Fresh off a $63 million extension, Warner stands alone in Tier 1. The four-time All-Pro has a long history of elite play in all facets, having charted in the top five among linebackers in each of the past five seasons. Over that span, Warner has been far and away the most impressive linebacker in the NFL, generating a combined 93.3 PFF coverage grade and 91.6 PFF run-defense grade. The title of the best linebacker in football has been Warner's for a few years. Known to 49ers fans as 'All-Pro Fred,' the former BYU linebacker is the model example of the 49ers way, on and off the field. John Kosko had similar praise for Kittle as the number-one tight end in the NFL. Kittle has been one of the best tight ends in the game for nearly a decade and was handsomely rewarded by the 49ers this offseason with a big contract extension. The NFL's highest-graded tight end over the past two seasons (92.0), Kittle is the most complete player at his position in the NFL. He has earned an 84.7 PFF overall grade or better in seven straight seasons. Kittle put together his most efficient position in the NFL in 2025. Even with a record-breaking receiving yard season for a tight end, it feels like Kittle's game is going to another level somehow. Advertisement More from
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
As 49ers start OTAs, Kittle says teams vibes are ‘elite'
George Kittle, in a half-joking way, refers to them as Optional Training Activities. Officially, the NFL dubs them Organized Team Activities, and they begin this week for the 49ers. They indeed are voluntary for the three sessions this week and three next week, before mandatory minicamp June 10-11. Kittle, the 49ers' ninth-year tight end, raves about the camaraderie in and around the locker room this time of the offseason. It is the first time since 2019 that he's been a full-time participant at 49ers HQ rather than work out at his offseason home in the Nashville area. 'Besides being on a really good, winning team late in the season and going to the playoffs, one of the best vibes is during the spring for football,' Kittle said at last week's Dwight Clark Legacy Series in San Jose. 'Because you don't have the pressure of a game that weekend. You have four workouts and get a three-day weekend, so the vibes are elite and immaculate. Everyone is having a good time. There's such great energy in the building.' Unlike the previous five weeks, OTA practices allow for 11-on-11 action, but contact (and shoulder pads) remain off limits until training camp in late July. As is the case with half the league, the 49ers are scheduled to use only six of their allotted 10 OTA days. Here are 10 areas to watch: This is the offseason's most overhauled unit, so it bears constant scrutiny to see how the newcomers (and a few holdovers) blend with Nick Bosa. Second-round pick Alfred Collins watched but did not participate in the rookie minicamp three weeks ago. Two veteran defensive ends, Drake Jackson and Alex Barrett, have exited since then. This is the media's first chance to see defensive coordinator Robert Saleh work on the field with his unit – first time since the 2020 season, that is. Eight years ago, it was fun watching Saleh as a first-time coordinator match up in spring practices and camp against Kyle Shanahan. Christian McCaffrey's level of participation is always worth monitoring. But he is an expectant father with potential paternity leave this summer, so attention should shift toward his backups instead. We'll look more so at them as potential receivers since tackling is not permitted until camp. How does Isaac Guerendo look as a potential third-round back, and how are the hands of rookies Jordan James and Corey Kiner? Are they in the right position for pass protection? An overlooked competition this year is among the offensive tackles. If Trent Williams isn't up for these six voluntary OTA practices, who mans the left tackle spot? After an apparent deal with D.J. Humphries fell through, the 49ers added Andre Dillard and Nicolas Petit-Frere to compete with Austen Pleasants and Spencer Burford. No pads, so no real competition to examine, but we'll see who might be in the lead as the swing tackle, as well as at left guard, where Ben Bartch and Nick Zakelj figure to battle for Aaron Banks' old job. Fred Warner has a new contract (three-year extension) and a potential new wingman in rookie Nick Martin, a third-round pick. If Dee Winters has a say, it's time to show he can be more assignment sound. And if Luke Barrett is more than a special-teams ace, we could see him factor into the linebacker mix here, with the same said for Tatum Bethune and Jalen Graham. While Brandon Aiyuk does his ACL rehab on the side, the 49ers need to see what kind of connection Brock Purdy has with other wide receivers beyond Jauan Jennings. Ricky Pearsall, last year's first-round pick, is the most intriguing after his strong finish last year. Jacob Cowing, after a four-catch rookie season, can show the strides he's made. Demarcus Robinson makes his public debut, but rookies Jordan Watkins and Isaiah Neyor are fascinating projects. Ji'Ayir Brown and George Odum are the 49ers' most experienced safeties, but these OTAs offer a chance to get a first impression of veteran additions Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant. Communication and play-making range will be worth monitoring from all options; Malik Mustapha is amid ACL recovery, and Talanoa Hufanga is in Denver. Two tight-end sets again should be en vogue this season after the 49ers' offseason investments in Kittle and free agent Luke Farrell, the latter of whom is a blocking specialist. Aside from observing Farrell's onboarding process, the 49ers have familiar faces to study: Ross Dwelley, Brayden Willis, Jake Tonges, and Mason Pline. Renardo Green's seven starts as a rookie make the 2024 second-round pick the odds-on favorite to replace Charvarius Ward at cornerback and pair with Deommodore Lenoir. The greater mystery at cornerback is whether rookie Upton Stout is immediately ready to serve as the Day 1 nickel back, or if that job could be pursued by Chase Lucas or Darrell Luter Jr. This is Brock Purdy's show. He has a new understudy in Mac Jones, who'll be making his first throws in 49ers' OTA action – four years after the 49ers' bypassed him for Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick. If Purdy, Jones or Tanner Mordecai have an off-day, odds are they'll get a pep talk from Kittle, who added about OTAs: 'It's just going to work, getting great hard work with your teammates, learning some stuff in the meeting room, then you get a three-day break to take a step back, and by the time Monday hits, you're, 'Oh, I'm ready to go again.''
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
49ers' vibes are ‘elite and immaculate' during their summer-camp offseason
After a season filled with dysfunction, the San Francisco 49ers are having an offseason that sounds like a summer camp. Golf outings. A movie day at a rented-out theatre. A trip to a shooting range to take aim at clay pigeons. 'The Niners have done a really good — specifically this year — we have a ton of team activities throughout the week,' tight end George Kittle said last week at the Dwight Clark Legacy Event in San Jose. 'The vibes are elite and immaculate. Everybody is having a good time. There's such great energy in the building.' Before head coach Kyle Shanahan placed an emphasis on team-bonding activities, he emphasized the importance of players attending the voluntary offseason program this spring after the 49ers' finished a 6-11 season, a year filled with vibes that were the antithesis of elite and immaculate. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel shoved long snapper Taybor Pepper on the sideline and complained about his lack of targets. Linebacker DeVondre Campbell refused to enter a game and was suspended. Pass rusher Nick Bosa placed his politics ahead of the team during the polarizing presidential election. The 49ers threatened to fine wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for not practicing during his contentious contract holdout and Aiyuk subsequently drew Shanahan's ire with his practice attire. There were also subtler signs of disconnect. After linebacker Fred Warner told reporters that he was playing with a broken bone in his ankle, Kittle, who was quietly playing with a broken rib, noted that 'everybody is dealing with something and not everybody shares it all the time' when asked about Warner's toughness. The 49ers' vaunted locker room culture wasn't the same. And Shanahan and general manager John Lynch were aware as the 49ers dropped seven of their final eight games, losing three by at least 23 points. After Steve Young questioned the 49ers' grit, Lynch didn't dispute the Hall of Fame QB's assessment and said players had to 'earn that right' to receive a franchise legend's respect. After Shanahan said the 49ers weren't as good as the 2023 edition that reached the Super Bowl, he noted he wasn't just referring to their talent, but to 'the way we felt in training camp, throughout the whole year.' That is, the vibes were as bad as their record. And Shanahan wanted to get an early jump on a reset by having improved offseason-program attendance, particularly from locker-room pillars. The result: Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams, who typically train elsewhere in the spring, reported for the first day on April 22. In addition, Kittle has been a full participant for the first time since 2019 and quarterback Brock Purdy said last week that he was committed to reporting on time despite not having a signed contract extension until mid-May. 'Everybody's bought in right now and we're excited, obviously, to do more team activities as we move along the offseason,' Purdy said. 'It's hard to explain, but the young guys, the older guys, everybody is bringing it right now. And I think it's just so important that we're just around each other a lot doing different activities and continuing to build chemistry. 'That's the kind of stuff that matters when you get late in the season and things get tough and you go through some tough things as a team. You want to be able to know the guy next to you and what he's about and that he's going to have your back.' The players have done their part by showing up. And the 49ers' front office has contributed by signing Purdy, Kittle and Warner to massive extensions before the 49ers have their first OTA practice Tuesday. The 49ers have often entered training camp with at least one standout player in a contract impasse and Purdy noted the welcome change this offseason. 'I feel like every year there sort of has been someone that it's like, 'Man, you'd like to get (the contract) done,' and it's gone on pretty late,' Purdy said. 'And whether that has affected the locker room or not, I'm not really sure. I don't want to just pinpoint something. But this year, having the (contracts) done and being able to get back to work and be around the guys in the locker room — and just build our culture and standard from the ground up with all the new guys that we have, it's been pretty cool.' The 49ers have more new faces this season because of an offseason overhaul which included the departure of eight starters in March. The 49ers have 33 new players on their 90-man roster, a group that includes 17 rookies. Shanahan said last month that the abundance of first-year players meant it was even more important to have decorated veterans present this spring. 'We have guys that know how to work the right way, and football means everything to them,' Shanahan said last month. 'But half of our team hasn't seen that.' But the 49ers aren't just working this summer-camp offseason. After a season filled with disappointment and dysfunction, they are also playing to promote bonding, hoping elite vibes will lead to a much-improved record.
