Each week leading up to the start of training camp, 49ers.com will assess the team's roster as we get closer to the season. In this installment, we will address the tight end position and the depth behind their All-Pro, Pro Bowl talent.
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Ahead of the 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers tight end position is anchored by George Kittle, widely regarded as one of the premier players at his position. As per Pro Football Focus (PFF), Kittle tops their rankings as the No. 1 tight end entering the season, following his performance in 2023, where he earned an impressive 87.7 overall grade, the highest among all NFL tight ends.
"Kittle's overall game is a perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan's diversified run game and play-action pass attack," analyst John Kosko wrote.
Before the start of training camp, Kittle and co-founders Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen brought tight ends from across the league to Nashville, Tennessee for the fourth-annual Tight End University three-day summit. Together, the NFL athletes learned from one another and refined their specialized skills to elevate the tight end position ahead of the 2024 season.
During the offseason, the 49ers saw the departure of longtime players Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner to the Atlanta Falcons, necessitating additions to the roster. Newcomers include Eric Saubert, Logan Thomas, Jake Tonges, and undrafted rookie free agent Mason Pline. These additions are expected to provide depth and support alongside Kittle, strengthening the tight end unit.
Position Breakdown
- George Kittle – 8th Season
- Cameron Latu - 2nd Season
- Mason Pline - 1st Season
- Eric Saubert - 7th Season
- Logan Thomas - 10th Season
- Jake Tonges - 2nd Season
- Brayden Willis - 2nd Season
Tight End Breakdown
Kittle enters his eighth season in the NFL this year. He was selected by the team in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Throughout his first seven years in the league, Kittle has appeared in 98 games and recorded 6,274 yards and 37 touchdowns on 460 receptions in addition to 71 rushing yards. In 2023, Kittle tallied 1,020 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Kittle is a five-time Pro Bowl, two-time AP First-Team All-Pro team captain and is ranked in the top-20 of Pro Football Focus' best 50 players in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season.
Latu is entering his second season with the 49ers. He was selected by the team in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The tight end suffered a meniscus injury during the 2023 preseason and missed the majority of his rookie year. As he enters Year 2, he's expected to be back to full health for training camp.
Pline is entering his first year in the NFL after signing with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Furman University.
The tight end appeared in 38 games over three seasons at Ferris State (2021-22) and Furman (2023) and recorded 36 receptions for 323 yards and six touchdowns. In the 2023 season, Pline appeared in 13 games and registered 32 receptions for 287 yards and four touchdowns.
Saubert is entering his eighth year in the NFL, and his first year with the 49ers. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Throughout his seven-year NFL career with the Falcons (2017-18), Chicago Bears (2019), Jacksonville Jaguars (2020), Denver Broncos (2021-22), Dallas Cowboys (2023) and Houston Texans (2023), he has appeared in 84 games and recorded 36 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns. In 2023, Saubert appeared in 10 games with the Cowboys and Texans and finished with three receptions for 12 yards.
Thomas is entering his ninth year in the NFL, and his first year with the 49ers. He was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Throughout his eight-year NFL career with the Cardinals (2014), Buffalo Bills (2017-18), Detroit Lions (2019) and Washington Commanders (2020-23) he has appeared in 94 games and recorded 219 receptions for 2,002 yards and 16 touchdowns. In 2023, Thomas appeared in 16 games with the Commanders and finished the season with 55 receptions for 496 yards and four touchdowns.
Tonges is entering his second year in the NFL, and his first year with the 49ers. He originally entered the NFL after signing with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Tonges went on to appear in four games with Chicago, and later signed to the team's practice squad where he spent the remainder of the 2022 season.
Willis is entering his second season with the 49ers. He was selected by the team in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The tight end appeared in seven games during his rookie season.
