George Kittle’s slide to No. 3 in ’s annual tight end rankings is more a reflection of his late-season Achilles tear than any real drop in standing. For the San Francisco 49ers, it is a reminder that even with injury concerns, Kittle still sits among the NFL’s most respected players at his position.
On Friday, released its latest rankings and moved Kittle down one spot from No. 2 last year. Brock Bowers took No. 1, while Trey McBride of the Cardinals was placed ahead of Kittle at No. 2. Kittle is now working his way back from the late-season Achilles tear and is hoping to be ready for Week 1.
Why the ranking still says a lot
The drop should not be read as a verdict on Kittle’s quality. Last season he produced 57.1 yards per game, scored seven touchdowns, posted 2.39 yards per route run, caught 82.6% of his targets and generated a 138.4 passer rating when targeted. Those are elite numbers for a tight end, and they help explain why evaluators still keep him near the top of the list.
An NFC executive summed up the view of Kittle in simple terms. “Injuries and durability are becoming a concern, but when he’s healthy, he’s still the most versatile, dominant, complete tight end,” the executive said. Another evaluator was even more direct: “He’s still the gold standard for blocking, running and catching.”
What changed for the 49ers?
The ranking also fits the wider picture around San Francisco. The 49ers struggled to create perimeter threats last season, and that made life harder for defenses to play honestly. Kittle and Christian McCaffrey were among the players most affected by that approach, because opponents could crowd the middle and make the offense work for every easy yard.
That is why Kittle remains so important to the 49ers’ season. He is not just a passing-game weapon; he helps shape the way the whole offense functions. If he is healthy early in the year, San Francisco gains a player who can influence blocking, route-running and yards after the catch in the same drive.
For now, the ranking is less about decline and more about availability. has him at No. 3, but the bigger question for the San Francisco 49ers is whether Kittle can get back on the field in time to remind everyone why he has been viewed as one of the position’s standard-bearers for years.
