How Cameron Latu and Brayden Willis Eventually Will Replace George Kittle
The 49ers have to plan for life after George Kittle. That's why they drafted two tight ends this year -- Cameron Latu and Brayden Willis.
Kittle is one of the best tight ends in the league -- he does everything well. He blocks, he's a good route runner and he runs through people after the catch. Every team wants the next Kittle, but a player of his skill set doesn't come around often.
So realistically, it takes two tight ends to replace Kittle. And the 49ers don't need to replace him any time soon -- he's signed through 2025. But he's almost 30, he has missed at least a couple games four seasons in a row and when he's out, the 49ers get next to nothing from the tight end position.
Now the 49ers can live for a few games without Kittle next season. And if he decides to retire early or the 49ers decide to trade him, they'll be prepared.
Kittle is unique because he's a smaller tight end who has the finesse of a slot receiver when it comes to running routes, but he also blocks and runs through defenders like a much bigger man.
Or at least he used to. The past couple years, he seems to have gotten leaner in an effort to reduce lower-body injuries. As a result, he's not quite as powerful and physical as he once was.
Enter Cameron Latu. The 49ers' rookie third-round pick already is much larger than Kittle, and theoretically has the skillset to do most of what Kittle does on first and second down -- block, catch play-action bootleg passes in wide open space and then run over people.
Then on third down, enter Brayden Willis. He's not as physical as Latu, but he has all the route-running finesse of Kittle. So in the future when the 49ers need a tight end to beat man-to-man coverage on third-and-8, Willis will be their man.
At least, that's the plan. They have to earn those roles before they play.
