While the San Francisco 49ers need tight end depth, George Kittle‘s future could hit the list of priorities sooner or later.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco discussed that the day after the 49ers lost out on restricted free agent tight end Brock Wright. The Detroit Lions retained Wright with a matching deal with a three-year, $12 million contract.
“They got to start making some plans, perhaps for life after George Kittle,” Maiocco said during the “49ers Talk” podcast on Thursday. “I know that’s kind of odd to say because it seems like he’s just so young, and he just, not too long ago, broke into the NFL. But he is 30 years old.”
Willis played 48 offensive snaps and 101 special teams snaps in 2023 and never caught a pass. Latu never played as he went on injured reserve in August 2023.
The Athletic’s Matt Barrows wrote that the 49ers may have pursued Wright because “they’re skeptical” of Latu’s development. A former Alabama standout, Latu went to the 49ers in the third round last year. He had a solid career for the Crimson Tide amid 56 catches for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns.
San Francisco can draft a tight end amid a class that has talent in for the second round and beyond.
Draft Target Ben Sinnott Calls George Kittle a ‘Huge Role Model in My Game’
Iowa native and Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott could get his name called in the draft, and he could join his role model, Kittle, if so.
“He’s a huge role model in my game, just what he’s been able to do in both facets of the game, blocking and receiving,” Sinnott told NBC Sports Bay Area at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
“Especially being from Iowa, growing up and watching him at Iowa, watching all those Iowa tight ends, he’s a huge role model for me and someone I want to craft my game after,” Sinnott added.
Sinnott also played hockey in high school, which helped develop his footwork as a tight end on the gridiron.
“You’re skating around on a little thin blade,” Sinnott said. “So being able to take hits and keep your feet and stay on your edges has really helped me with my contact balance, for sure. It’s a lot easier to stay up when you have a full foot underneath you.”
At Kansas State, Sinnott tallied 82 catches for 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns in 38 career games.
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