With training camp full swing, now is a great time to look ahead at the 2023 49ers season. This involves which position to watch for the most. The tight end position may be one of the most intriguing aspects of the 49ers’ offense. Of course, the San Francisco 49ers have George Kittle, but there are question marks regarding the players after him. One player is projected to be on the final roster, but who knows what will happen after drafting two new rookies? Here is a look at the 2023 49ers tight ends, why questions are being asked, and why it can also be exciting.
2023 49ers Tight End Questions
While the 49ers have not been a team in desperate need of a tight end, George Kittle has needed another receiving tight end to help him. Kittle is a great blocker, and with the run game, it is important, but it would help the team more if he could be a receiving target. Charlie Woerner has been on the team for a couple of years now and is the other player that is expected to make the final roster. Woerner is more of a blocker than a receiver, still putting the team in need of another player.
There is also the question of how much longer Kittle will be on the roster. This is nothing against Kittle, but no one knows what will happen in the future, and the team will need to prepare another player just in case. The 2023 49ers roster when it comes to tight ends, is in the process of building solid depth right now and finding players for the future. Here is a breakdown of the five tight ends who will be battling it out in training camp.
49ers TE George Kittle (85) – Steph Chambers/Getty Images
George Kittle
Not that the veteran tight end needs any introduction, Kittle has been with the 49ers ever since being drafted in 2017. He will be entering his 7th season with the league and is set to have an $18 million cap hit this year, and $19 million next year. Either way, right now Kittle is a part of the 2023 49ers and will remain the team’s top tight end.
The money is only in the conversation for future reference. Even Kittle has been honest that there are numerous guys on the team making a lot of money and decisions will need to be made. Even if that is not referring to himself, it is true. Developing rookies now is a smart decision by the team.
In 2022, Kittle only missed two games. In the other 15 games, he had 60 receptions for 765 yards and 11 touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference. In playoffs, he had ten receptions for 164 yards. Kittle is a great player, but he has had to block more than receive lately, which helps the team, but does not push them further on the receiving end of the game. Woerner has helped Kittle not be so relied on when blocking, but a second receiver can help Kittle catch his breath, and not let the team fall behind.
49ers TE Ross Dwelley (82) – Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports
Ross Dwelley
Fellow tight end Ross Dwelley has been with the 49ers ever since 2018. He is not the team’s starter, but he is the one that the 49ers trust. He has been with the team for five years and knows the offense well. He was a free agent entering 2023, and the 49ers signed him to a one-year deal. Dwelley became a healthy scratch, and his play time drastically went down.
In 2022, Dwelley was targeted only five times. He had three receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference. For just three receptions, that really is not bad, but he is not the number two receiver that the team is looking for. The 2023 49ers offense will most likely start with Dwelley over the rookies, but he will have competition out there.
Charlie Woerner
As said, Woerner will likely make the final roster for the San Francisco 49ers. He is a blocking first tight end, which is important on any team, especially one with offensive line questions. Woerner has been with the team ever since being drafted in the 2020 NFL draft. In his rookie year, he only played in 14 games, but in the last two years, he played in all 17. Entering his fourth year, even he will be up for a new contract.
If he can continue to block well with limited mistakes, the team will most likely re-sign him, but drafting depth was crucial. Woerner will need to step up with the 2023 49ers offense to give Purdy, the projected starter, more time in the pocket.
Former Alabama Tight End Cameron Late (81) – Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Cameron Latu
In the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Cameron Latu from Alabama. Latu had 30 receptions in 2022 for 377 yards and four touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. Latu has had a history of injuries which does question his role with the 2023 49ers. Either way, as a rookie, he will have time to develop behind Kittle throughout the 2023 49ers season. Latu can block and receive, giving the team time to decide what kind of tight end he will become. This is something that will likely be determined following the 2023 49ers pre-season.
Brayden Willis
In the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft, the 49ers selected Brayden Willis. As known, the 49ers do well late in the round. While it is too early to call, Wilis has a solid chance to make the final roster. He will have to compete, of course, but he will be one to watch. Willis spent five years at Oklahoma, playing in 13 games in 2022. Last season he had 39 receptions for 514 yards and seven touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. Willis is not expected to go in and be the top tight end, and neither is Latu, but as rookies, they can learn from Kittle and support him in the receiving game when their time comes.
The 2023 49ers have the best depth at tight end that they have had in a long time. Yes, of course, there are a lot of questions revolved around the rookies, but they do not have to be ready right away. Re-signing Dwelley gives the rookies time to adjust to the offense. The unknown in this position can be exciting to follow.
Woerner, Kittle, and Dwelley have been on the team together for years; these two rookies can bring out something new to the 49ers offense. Hopefully, one of the new players can become one of the many targets on this 2023 49ers offense and can block often enough that Kittle will not have to always risk his body doing so. It is difficult to predict which tight end will miss out on the final roster, but it will be something fun to watch.
