ORLANDO, Fla. -- It has taken almost four years, but the San Francisco 49ers are beginning to see the Vance McDonald they believed they were getting when they used the 55th overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft to select the tight end.

After posting four catches for 60 yards in last week's loss against the Miami Dolphins, McDonald set a career high for receiving yards in a season. Before that, he'd already surpassed his previous career high for touchdowns, is on pace to easily set a new personal best in yards per catch and needs just nine catches to set a new career high in that category as well.

All of that is happening with McDonald in the final year of his rookie contract, which means he could be in line for a solid payday this offseason.

Appearing on KNBR radio before the Miami game, general manager Trent Baalke noted McDonald's increased production.

"Vance has done a real nice job, especially the last four to five games," Baalke said. "He’s really coming along and developing into the player we always thought he would. He’s gotten much more consistent, he’s doing a good job blocking. He’s a good all-around football player and he has a chance in this scheme to do some things as you say because the matchups are favorable."

Of course, it must be noted that McDonald's career highs are all relative and his current numbers can best be described as modest. However, McDonald is setting a pace that would dwarf his previous production if he can continue to build on the rapport he has built with quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

In nine games this season after missing a couple with injury, McDonald has 22 catches for 382 yards and four touchdowns. His 17.4 yards per catch average is second only to New England's Rob Gronkowski among tight ends. At his current clip, McDonald would finish with 594 yards, six touchdowns and 34 catches.

For Niners fans used to Vernon Davis manning the tight end spot, those numbers won't raise many eyebrows, but it's still considerably better than previous bests of 30 catches, 326 yards and three touchdowns.

Although he prefers not to talk about his own production, McDonald said he feels he has grown since Davis departed and he got the opportunity to step into the starting role.

"I just always look back at the opportunity whenever Vernon went to Washington and to have the trust and the opportunity to be able to start a game and play every down," McDonald said. "So I just gauge it kind of from that and really the start of the season and see how I've built from there."

To be sure, there are reasons beyond just getting more playing time for McDonald's increased production. Coach Chip Kelly's offense has always proved kind to tight ends with players such as Zach Ertz and Brent Celek putting up big numbers in recent years.

"I wouldn’t say I would be the only one," McDonald said. "But yeah, it provides the tight end an opportunity to be a big playmaker. I am very welcome to that idea and I’ve embraced that role this year and it’s been a lot of fun."

McDonald also clearly has developed a better rapport with Kaepernick. Kaepernick's improvement over the past month or so has coincided with McDonald's. In the past four games, McDonald has 14 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 17.1 yards per catch. He has been one of Kaepernick's most consistent and reliable options, and he has been more involved in the game plan because of it.

“I think Vance is a tough matchup athletically for guys that are covering him," Modkins said. "I think he’s a tough matchup for zones because of his athleticism. But, he can run. For that position, I think Vance can really run and he’s proven that with some of the explosive plays that he’s made. So, we look for that to continue. We need it to.”