Why the 49ers Don't Need to Take a Tight End Early in the NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers have been projected in some mock drafts to select a tight end early in the 2026 NFL Draft. While that possibility exists, there are a few reasons it may not happen. One factor is that tight end prospect Kenyon Sadiq may not fall to pick No. 27. Another reason is the performance of Jake Tonges, who showed he can be productive when George Kittle is unavailable.

Do the San Francisco 49ers trust Jake Tonges?

Mike Clay of ESPN examined several notable statistics from the 2025 season and highlighted one that reflects well on Tonges’ role in the offense. His findings suggest the 49ers may already have a capable option when Kittle is recovering from injury, which could reduce the urgency to draft a tight end early.

“Kittle missed seven full games last season (Weeks 2–6, 17, 20). During those games, Tonges handled a 17.9% target share (6.6 per game) and posted a 34-328-3 receiving line. That works out to 11.8 fantasy PPG, which would've ranked eighth among all tight ends last season, ahead of the likes of Harold Fannin Jr., Travis Kelce, Mason Warren, and Jake Ferguson. Tonges will be in the back-end TE1 mix as long as Kittle is sidelined.”
Mike Clay

Production that ranks among the top ten at the position is valuable, and it suggests the 49ers may not need to prioritize replacing that output immediately. Tonges has already shown he can handle a meaningful role in the passing game when needed.

There are still a couple of important caveats to consider. One is the influence of head coach Kyle Shanahan and his offensive system. Some of Tonges’ production could be tied to Shanahan’s scheme, leading to the argument that a more talented prospect might produce even more in the same role. From that perspective, some analysts believe that if Shanahan can generate this level of production from Tonges, a player like Sadiq could potentially offer even greater upside.

Another consideration is blocking. Tonges has been able to replace some of the receiving production that Kittle provides, but he cannot fully replicate Kittle’s impact as a blocker. Kittle’s all-around ability is difficult to match, and even Sadiq is not viewed as a complete replacement in that area.

There is also the developmental timeline to consider. Sadiq is often viewed as a prospect who may need time before becoming a full-time contributor at the next level. Early in his career, he might not immediately fill the role needed when Kittle misses time. By the time Sadiq is ready for a larger role, Kittle may already be back in the lineup and handling the majority of the snaps.

Because of that dynamic, the 49ers may be better off addressing the position later in the draft by selecting a blocking-oriented tight end who can complement Tonges. That approach would allow Tonges to handle more of the receiving work while the additional tight end helps provide blocking support.

When Kittle is healthy, Tonges’ contract value and a late-round draft pick would make it easy for both players to serve as depth options without creating roster complications. Based on the production Tonges already delivered when given opportunities, he may be good enough for the 49ers to avoid drafting a tight end early this year.