With the San Francisco 49ers tightening their salary cap this offseason in preparation for quarterback Brock Purdy’s contract extension, it’s increasingly uncertain whether the team will be able to work out a new deal with tight end George Kittle.
The beloved Kittle, now in the final year of his contract, has been pushing for an extension, but the financial flexibility needed may simply not be there.
According to reports, one potential move could be to select Kittle’s eventual replacement in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.
Most evaluators view Penn State’s Tyler Warren as the top tight end in the class. With the 49ers sitting at pick No. 11, there’s a chance Warren may be off the board by the time they’re on the clock.
This could cause general manager John Lynch and company to turn their attention to the next best tight end option: Michigan’s Colston Loveland.
Loveland, a standout for the Wolverines, had an impressive junior season, recording 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns. (Those numbers would have been much better if Michigan had a legitimate quarterback.)
Loveland’s decision to declare for the NFL Draft, foregoing his senior year, comes after a particularly strong showing in Michigan’s showcase matchup against Oregon.
In that game, Loveland caught seven passes for 112 yards, making a significant impact despite Michigan’s 38-17 loss.
NFL.com’s draft analyst, Daniel Jeremiah, is high on Loveland, ranking him as the 6th-best prospect in this year’s draft class.
Jeremiah had glowing remarks about the 6-foot-5 tight end, noting his blend of size, awareness, and playmaking ability.
“Loveland is a long, lean tight end with outstanding awareness, quickness and big-play ability,” Jeremiah stated. “He has aligned in-line, as a wing and in the slot. He’s urgent in his release. He has a tremendous feel for option routes and working in space.
“He can cleanly get in/out of breaks and he presents a big target to the quarterback. He attacks the ball in the air and is adept at finishing in crowds. After the catch, he has a smooth stride and possesses a nasty stiff-arm. He has some wiggle to make defenders miss, as well.
“His lack of bulk impacts his ability to stay connected as a run blocker, though. Overall, Loveland is equipped to make a lot of catches as a starting tight end in his rookie campaign.”
For the 49ers, drafting Loveland could serve as a safety net in case negotiations with Kittle stall.
Alternatively, if Kittle does agree to an extension, the 49ers could still benefit from adding Loveland, who would complement Kittle in two-tight-end sets while also learning from one of the league’s best.
Regardless of how the situation with Kittle unfolds, selecting Loveland would offer several benefits for San Francisco. Whether as a potential starter or as a developmental asset, the 49ers could secure a key piece of their future at tight end.
What are your thoughts on the Niners drafting Loveland as Kittle’s possible replacement???
